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NAVIGATION 

SPIRITUALIZED; 

OR    A 

NEW    COMPASS 

FOR 

SEAMEN, 

CONSISTING   op  XXXII   POINTS-, 

f  pleasant      OBSERVATIONS, 
Of   4  profitable  APPLICATIONS, 
[and  serious  REFLECTIONS, 

ALL      CONCLUDED      WITH      SO      MANY 

SPIRITUAL  POEMS. 


by   JOHN  FLAVEL, 


MINISTER    OF    THE    GOSP*L    AT    CARTM9UTH    IN    ENGLAND. 


PRINTED    BY 

EDMUND    M.    BLUNT, 

at  the   NEWBURYPORT    BOOK-STORE, 
1796. 


%rt#> 


<■<  : 


NAVIGATION 

SPIRITUALIZED 

OR 

A  new  COMPASS  for  SEAMEN, 

Confifting  of  XXXII  points  j 

f  pleasant      OBSERVATIONS, 
Of  ±  profitable  APPLICATIONS, 
Land  serious  REFLECTIONS. 

All  to  conclude  with  Jo  many  Spiritual  POEMS. 


What  good  might  feamen  get,  if  once  they  were 
But  heavenly  minded  ?  If  they  could  but  fteer 
The  chriftian's  courfe,  the  foul  might  then  enjoy 
Sweet  peace,  they  might  like  few  o'erflow  with  joy. 
Were  God,  our  all,  how  would  our  comforts  double 
Upon  us  !  thus  the  feas  of  all  our  trouble 
Would  be  divinely  fweet :  men  mould  endeavour 
To  fee  God  now,  and  be  with  him  forever. 


TO    ALL 

Majlersy  Mariners,  and  Seamen. 

Sirs, 

I  FIND  it  ftoryed  of  dnacharfis,  that  when  'one 
afked  him,    whether  the   living  or   the   dead 
were  more  ?  He   returned   this   anfwer,  You   mvft 


4  ¥be  Eptftle  Dedicatory. 

firft  tell  me  (faith  he"!  in  which   number  I  muft  place 
feamen  ;  intimating  thereby,  that  feamen  are  as  it 
were,  a  third  fort  of  perfons,  to  be  numbered  neith- 
er-with ''the  living  nor  the  dead  ;  their  lives  hang- 
ing continually  in  fufpence    before   them.     And  it 
was  anciently  accounted  the    moil  defperate    em- 
ployment, and  they  little  better  than  loft  men  that 
ufed  the  feas.     "  Through  all  my  life  (faith  Arif- 
tot/ej  three  things  do  especially  repent  me  :  Firft, 
That  ever  1  revealed  a  iecret  to  a  woman.  Second- 
ly, That  ever  I  remained  one  day   without    a  will. 
Thirdly,  That  ever  I  went   to   any   place    by  fea, 
whether  1  might   have   gone    by   land.     Nothing 
(faith  another)  is  more  miferable,  than  to  fee  a  vir- 
tuous and    worthy  perfon  upon  the  fea."     And  al- 
though cuftom,  and  the  great   improvement  of  the 
art  of  navigation,  have  made  it  le'fs  formidable  now, 
ye4t  you  are  no  further  from  death  than  you  are  from 
the  waters,  which    is  but  a  remove  of  two  or  three 
inches.     Now  you   that  border    fo  nigh  upon   the 
confines  of  death  and  eternity  every  moment,  may 
well  be  fuppoied  to  be    men  ot  lingular  piety   and 
ferious  :  for  nothing    compofes  the  heart   more  to 
fuch  a  frame,  than  the  lively  apprehenfions  of  eter- 
nity do  :  and  none  have  greater  external  advanta- 
ges for    that,   than  you   have.     But  alas  !  for   the 
generality,  What  fort    of  men  are   more  ungodly, 
and  (lupiuly  inlenfible  of  eternal  concernments  ? 
Living  for  the    moft  part,  as  if  they  had  made  a 
covenant  with- death,  and  .with  hell  were  at  an  a- 
greement.     It  was' an  ancient  faying,  "  Qui  nefcit 
orare,difcat  navigare."      He  that    knows    not  how 
to  pray,  let  him  go  to  fea.     But  we  may  fay   now, 
(alas,  that  we  may  fay  fo  in  times  of  greater  light) 
He  that  would   learn  to  be  profane,  to  drink,  and 
iwear,  and  difhonour  God,  let  him  go  to  lea.     As 


.  The  Epifile  Dedicatory.  5 

for  prayer,  it  is  a  rare  thing  among  Teamen,  they 
count  that  a  needlefs  bufinefs  :.  they  fee  the 
prophane  and  vile  delivered  as  well  as  others  ; 
and  therefore,  What  profit  is  there  if  they  pray  un- 
to him  ?  Mai.  3.4.  As  I  remember,  I  have  read 
of  a  profane  foldier,  who  was  heard  fwearing,  though 
he  flood  in  a  place  of  great  danger ;  and  when  one 
tint  flood  by  him  warned  him,  faying,  "  Fellow- 
foldier,  do  not  fwear,  the  bullets  flie  ;"  he  anfwer- 
ed  "  They  that  fwear  come  off  as  well  as  they  that 
pray."  Soon  after  a  fhot  hit  him  and  down  he  fell. 
Plato  diligently  admonifhed  all  men  to  avoid  the 
fea  ;  "  For  \  faith  he)  it  is  the  fchool- mafler  of  all 
vice  and  difhonefty,"  Sirs  !  it  is  a  very  fad  consid- 
eration to  me,  that  you  who  float  upon  the  great 
deeps,  in  whole  bottom  fo  many  thoufand  poor  mil- 
erabie  creatures  lie,  whofe  fins  have  funk,  them 
down  not  only  into  the  bottom  of  the  fea,  but  of 
hell  alfo,  whither  divine  vengeance  hath  purfued 
them  :  That  you  (I  fay)  who  daily  float,  and  hov- 
er over  them,  and  have  the  roaring  waves  and  bil- 
lows that  fwallowed  them  up,  gaping  for  you  at  the 
next  prey,  fhould  be  no  more  affected  with  thefe 
things.  Oh  what  a  terrible  voice  doth  God  utter 
in  theflorms !  "It  breaks  the  ceders, fhakes  the  wild- 
ernefs,  makes  the  hinds  to  calve,''  Pfa.  xxix.  5. 
And  can  it  not  (hake  your  hearts.  This  voice  of 
the  Lord  is  full  of  majefty,  but  his  voice  in  the 
word  is  more  efficacious  and  powerful,  Heb.  iv.  1 2. 
To  convince  and  rip  up  the  heart.  This  word  is 
exalted  above  all  his  name.  Pfa.  exxxviii.  3.  And 
if  it  cannot  awaken  you,  it  is  no  wonder  you  remain 
fecure  and  dead,  when  the  Lord  utters  his  voice  in 
the  mofl  dreadful  florms  and  ternpefls.  But  i( 
neither  the  voice  of  God  uttered  in  his  dreadful 
works,  or  in  his  glorious  gofpel,  can  effectually  a- 


6  The  Eptfile  Dedicatory. 

waken  and  rouze,  there  is  an  Euroclidon,  a  fearful 
ftorm  coming,  which  will  fo  awaken  your  fouls,  as 
that  they  (hall  never  fleep  any  more.     Pfa.  xii.  6. 
"  Upon  the  wicked  he  mail  rain    fnares,  fire   and 
brimftone,  and  an  horrible    temped  :  This  is  the 
portion  of  their  cup."     You  that  have  been  at  fea 
in  the  moft  violent  ftorm  s,  never  felt  fuch  a  ftorm 
as  this,   and  the  Lord  grant  you    never  may  ;  no 
calm  (hall  follow   this  ftorm.     There  are  fome  a- 
mong  you,  that,  I  am  perfuaded,  do  truly  fear  that 
God  in  whofe  hand  their  life  and  breath   is  :_  Men 
that  fear  an  oath,   and  are  an  honour  to  their  pro- 
feffion  ;  who  drive  a  trade  for  heaven,  and  are  dili- 
gent to  fecure  the  happinefs  of  their  immortal  fouls, 
in  the  infurance-office  above  :  but  for  the  generali- 
ty alas  !   they  mind  none  of  thefe  things.     How 
many  of  you    are  coafting    to  and  fro,  from  one 
country  to  another  ?  But  never  think  of  that  heav- 
enly country  above,  nor  how  you  may  get  the  mer- 
chandize thereof,  which  is  better  than  the  gold  of 
Qt)bir.     How  oft  do  you  tremble  to  lee   the  foam- 
ing waves  dance  about   you,  and  warn    over  you  ? 
vet  conlider  not  how  tcnible  it  will  be  to   have  all 
the  waves  and  billows  of  God's  wrath  to  go  over 
your  fouls,  and  that  for  ever.     How  glad  are  you, 
after  you  have  been  long  toffed  upon  the  ocean,  to 
defcrv  land.     And   how   yare  and   eagerly  do  you 
look  out  for  it  ?  Who  yet    never  had   your  hearts 
warmed  with  the  confideration  of  that  joy    which 
(hall  be  among  the  faints,  when  they  arrive    at  the 
heavenly  fir  and,  and  fet  foot  on  the  fhore  of  glory. 

O  Sirs  !  1  beg  of  you,  if  you  have  any  regard  to 
thofe  precious  immortal  fouls  of  yours,  which  are 
.alfo  imbarqued  for  eternity,  whether  all  winds  blow 
them,  and  will  quickly  be  at  their  port  of  heaven 
or  hell,  that  you  will   ferioufty  mind  thele    things, 


The  EptjHe  Dedicatory.  y 

and  learn  to  fleer  your  courfe  to  heaven,  and  im- 
prove all  winds  (I  mean  opportunities  and  means) 
to  waft  you  thither. 

Here  you  venture  life  and  liberty,  run  through 
many  difficulties  and  dangers,  and  all  to  compafs  a 
perilhing  treafure  -,  yet  how  often  do  you  return 
difappointed  in  your  defigns  ?  Or  if  not,  yet  it  is 
but  a  fading  mort-lived  inheritance,  which  like  the 
flowing  tide,  for  a  little  while,  covers  the  more,  and 
then  returns,  and  leaves  it  naked  and  dry  again  : 
And  are  not  everlafling  treafures  worth  venturing 
for  ?  Good  fouls,  be  wife  for  eternity  :  I  here  pre- 
fent  you  with  the  fruit  of  afewfpare  hours,  redeem- 
ed for  your  fakes,  from  my  other  fludies  and  em- 
ployments, which  I  have  put  into  a  new  drefs  and 
mode.  I  have  endeavoured  to  clothe  fpiritual  matters 
in  your  own  dialed:  and  phrafes,  that  they  might  be 
the  more  intelligible  to  you  ;  and  added  fome  pious 
poems,  with  which  the  feveral  chapters  are  con- 
cluded, trying  by  all  means  to  affault  your  feveral 
affe&ions,  and  as  the  Apoflle  fpeaks,  to  catch  you  with 
guile .^  I  can  fay  nothing  of  it  ;  I  know  it  cannot 
be  without  its  manifold  imperfections,  fince  I  am 
confcious  of  fo  many  in  myfelf  :  Only  this  I  will 
adventure  to  fay  of  it,  That  how  defective  or  emp- 
ty foever  it  be  in  other  refpetfrs,  yet  it  is  fluffed  and 
filled  with  much  true  love  to,  and  earned  defires 
after  the  falvation  and  profperity  of  your  fouls. 
And  for  the  other  defeds  that  attend  it,  I  have 
only  two  things  to  offer,  in  way  of  excufe  :  It  is 
the-firft  effay  that  ever  I  made  in  this  kind,  where- 
in I  had  no  precedent  :  And  it  was  haflened,  for 
your  fakes,  too  foon  out  of  my  hands,  that  it  might 
be  ready  to  wait  upon  you,  when  you  undertake 
your  next  voyage  ;  lb  that  I  could  not  revife  and 
polifh  it.     Nor  indeed  was  I  follicitous  above  the 


8  2he  Epijile  Dedicatory, 

flile,  I  confider,  I  write  not  for  critical  and  learned 
perfons  :  My  defign  is  not  to  pleafe  your  fancies 
any  further  than  I  might  thereby  get  any  advan- 
tage to  profit  your  fouls.  I  will  not  once  queftion 
your  welcome  reception  of  it:  If  God  fhall  blefs 
thefe  meditations  to  the  converfion  of  any  one  a- 
mong  you,  you  will  be  the  gainers,  and  my 
heart  fhall  rejoice,  even  mine.  How  comfortably 
fhould  we  fhake  hands  with  you,  when  you  go  a- 
broad,  were  we  perfwaded  your  fouls  were  intereft- 
ed  in  Chrift,  and  fecured  from  perifhing,  in  the 
new  covenant  ?  What  life  would  it  put  into  our 
prayers  for  you,  when  you  are  abroad,  to  think 
that  Jefus  Chrift  is  interceeding  for  you  in  heaven, 
whilft  we  are  your  remembrancers  here  on  earth  ? 
How  quiet  would  our  hearts  be  when  your  are  a- 
broad  in  dorms  -,  did  we  know  you  had  a  fpecial 
intereft  in  him  whom  winds  and  feas  obey  ?  To 
conclude,  what  joy  would  it  be  to  your  godly  rela- 
tions, to  fee  you  return  new  creatures  ?  Douhtlefs 
more  than  if  you  came  home  laden  with  the  riches 
of  both  Indies. 

Come,  Sirs  !  fet  the  heavenly  Jerufakm  upon  the 
point  of  your  new  Compafs  ;  make  all  the  fail  you 
can  for  it  ;  and  the  Lord  give  you  a  profperous 
gale,  and  a  fafe  arrival  in  that  land  of  reft. 

So  prays 

Your  mofi  Affectionate  Friend 

to  Jerve  you  in  Scul- Concernments* 

JOHN  FLAVEL. 


The  Epiftk  Dedicatory, 


IMPRIMATUR  E. 

Geo.  Strandling,  S  T.  P, 
Rev.  in  Chrijlo  Pat. 
Ex.  s£d.  Lamb.  D.  Gilb.  de  Archiepifc. 

Dec.  14,  1663.  Cant,  a  Sac.  Domejl. 


B 


To    every    Seaman    failing    Heaven- 
ward. 

Ingenious  Seaman. 

THE  art  of  navigation,  by  which  Inlands  es- 
pecially are  enriched,  and  preferved  in  late- 
ly irom  forenfical  invahons  ;  and  the  wonderful 
works  of  God  in  the  great  deep,  and  foreign  na- 
tions are  moil  delightfully  and  fully  beheld,  &c.  is 
an  art  of  exquiiite  excellency,  ingenuity,  rarity,  and 
mirability  :  But  the  Art  of  Spiritual  Navigation  is 
the  art  of  arts.  It  is  a  gallant  thing  to  be  able  to 
carry  a  (hip  richly  laden  round  the  world  :  'But  it 
is  much  more  gallant  to  carry  a  foul  (that  rich 
loading,  a  pearl  of  more  worth  than  all  the  mer- 
chandife  of  the  world)  in  a  body  (that  is  liable  to 
leaks  and  byuiles  as  any  fhip  is)  through  the  lea  of 
this  world  (which  is  as  unliable  as  water,,  and  hath 
the  fame  brinifh  tafte  and  fait  guft  which  the  wat- 
ers of  the  fea  have)  lafe  to  heaven  (the  b?ft  haven) 
fo  as  to  avoid  Splitting  upon  any  foul  finking  rocks,  or 
frrikinguponany  foul  drowning  fands.  The  art  of  na- 
tural navigation  is  a  very  great  myftery  ;  but  the  an 
of  fpiritual  navigation  is  by  much  a  greater  myltery. 
Human  wifdom  may  teach  us  to  carry  a  fhip  to 
the  Indies  ;  but  the  wifdom  only  that  is  from 
above    can   teach   us   to  fleer   our   courfe  aright 


An  Epiftle  to  Seamen.  n 

to  the  haven  of  haf)pinefs.  This  art  is  pure- 
ly of  divine  revelation.  The  truth  is,  divinity  (the 
doctrine  of  living  to  God)  is  nothing  elie  but  the 
art  of  foul-navigation,  revealed  from  heaven.  A 
meer  man  can  carry  a  fhip  to  any  defired  port  In 
all  the  world,  but  no  meer  man  can  carry  a  foul  to 
heaven.  He  muft  be  a  faint,  he  mull  be  a  divine 
(fo  all  faints  are)  that  can  be  a  pilot  to  carry  a 
foul  to  the  fair  haven  in  EmanuaP  s  land.  The  art 
ot  natural  navigation  is  wonderfully  improved  fince 
the  coming  of  Chrifi,  before  which  time  (if  there 
be  truth  in  hifiory)  the  ufe  of  the  loadftone  was  nev- 
er known  in  the  world  5  and  before  the  virtue  of 
that  was  revealed  unto  the  mariner,  it  is  unfpeaka- 
ble  with  what  uncertain  wandrings  feamen  floated 
here  and  there,  rather  than  failed  the  right  and 
direct  way.  Sure  I  am,  the  art  of  fpiritual  naviga- 
tion is  wonderfully  improved  fince  the  coming  of 
Chrift  :  it  oweth  its  cleared  and  fullefl  difcovery  to 
the  coming  of  Chrift.  This  art  of  arts  is  now  per- 
fectly revealed  in  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and 
New  Teilament  ;  but  the  rules  thereof  are  difperf- 
ed  up  and  down  therein.  The  collecting  and 
methodizing  of  the  fame,  cannot  but  be  a  work 
very  uieful  unto  fouls  :  Though  when  all  is  done, 
there  is  an  abfolute  neceffity  of  the  teachings  of  the 
Spirit,  and  of  the  anointing  that  is  from  above,  to 
make  fouls  artifts  in  failing  heavenward.  The  in- 
genious author  of  the  Chriftian's  Compafs,  or  the 
Mariners  Companion,  makes  three  parts  of  this  art 
(as  the  fchool  men  of  divinity,)  viz.  Speculative, 
Practical,  and  Affetlionate.  The  principal  things 
neceffary  to  be  known  by  a  fpiritual  feaman,  in  or- 
der to  the  fleering  rightly  and  fafely  to  the  port  of 
happinefs,  he  reduceth  to  four  heads,  anfwerable  to 
the  four  general  points   of  the  Compafs ;  making 


12  An  Epijile  to  Seamen 

God  our  North  ;  Chrift  our  Ea/t,  Holinefs  our  South, 
and  Death  our  /^/?  points.  Concerning  God,  we 
muft  know,  i.  That  he  is,  Heb.  xi.  6.  And  that 
there  is  but  one  God,  i  Cor.  viii.  5,  6.  2.  That 
this  God  is  that  fupreme  good,  in  the  enjoyment 
of   whom  all  true    happinefs   lies.     Pfa.  iv.  6,  7. 

Mat.  v.  8, 18,  20.  3.  That  (life  eternal  lying 

in  God,  and  he  being  incomprehenfible  and  incon- 
ceivable in  effence,  as  being  a  Spirit)  our  bed  way 
to  eye  him  is  in  his  attributes,  Exod.  xxxiv.  c;,  6, 
7.  And  work,  Rom.  i.  20.  And  efpecially  in 
his  Son,  2  Cor.  iv.  6,  4.  That  as  God  is  a  Spirit, 
fo  our  chiefeft,  yea,  only  way  of  knowing,  enjoying, 
ferving,  and  walking  with  him,  is  in  the  fpirit  like- 
wife,  John  iv.  24.  Concerning  Chrift  we  muft 
know,  1,  That  he  is  the  true  Sun  which  arifeth  up- 
on the  world,  by  which  all  are  enlightned,  John  i. 
ix.  Mai.  iii.  2.  Luke  i.  78,  79.  2,  That  God 
alone  is  in  him,  reconciling  himfelf  to  the  world, 
2  Cor.  v.  19.  1  Cor.  i,  30.  John  xiv.  6.  3.  That 
Jefus  Chrift  is  only  made  ours  by  the  union  and  in- 
dwelling of  himfelf  in  us  through  the  fpirit,  1.  Cor. 
ii.  9,  10,  and  6,  17.  John  xvi.  8,  9.  1  Cor.  xii. 
3,  13.  4.  That  the  way  of  the  fpirit's  uniting  us 
to  Chrift,  is  by  an  act  of  power  on  his  part,  and  by 
an  act  of  faithon  our  parts,  John  iii.  16.  laft  5,  29. 
Eph.  iii.  17.  Concerning  holinefs,  we  muft  know, 
1.  That  whoever  is  in  Chrift  is  a  new  creature,  2 
Cor.  v.  17.  1  Cor.  vi.  11.  2.  Holinefs,  is  the 
fouls  higheft  luftre,  Exod.  xv.  11.  When  we 
come  to  perfection  in  holinefs,  then  is  our  fun  at 
the  height  in  us.  3,  Holinefs,  is  Chrift  tilling  the 
foul  '■>  Chrift  our  iun  is  at  higheft  in  our  hearts, 
when  they  are  molt  holy,  4.  This  holinefs  is  that 
which  is  directly  oppofite  to  fin  :  fin  eclipfes 
holinefs,   and  holin.els   fcatters  fin,  Heb.  viw   26* 


Sailing  Heavenward.  13 

Phil.  ii.  ij.  1  Pet.  iii.  11.  Concerning  death, 
we  muft  know,  1.  Death  is  certain  :  the  fun  of 
our  life  will  fet  in  death  5  when  our  days  come  a- 
bout  to  this  weftern-point,  it  will  be  night,  Heh, 
ix.  27.  Pia.  xlxi.  7,  9.  2.  If  we  die  in  our  fins 
out  of  Chrift,  we  are  undone  forever,  Job.  viii.  24, 
Phil.  i.  2i.  3.  It  is  our  benighting  to  die,  but  it 
is  not  our  annihilation,   1   Cor.  xv.     Rev.  xx.  1  2, 

4.  After  death  comes  judgment  ;  all  that  die  (hall 
arife  to  be  judged,  either  for  life  or  death  the 
fecond  time,  Heb.  ix.  27.  Mat.  xxv.  Heb.  vi. 
2.  Thele  four  heads,  and  the  particulars  under 
them  are  as  neceffary  to  be  known  in  fpiritual  na- 
vigation, as  the  four  points  of  the  compafs  are  in 
natural  navigation.  The  things  which  we  ought 
to  do,  in  order  to  our  arrival  to  our  happinefs,  our 
author  makes  as  many  as  there  are  points  in  the 
compafs.  And  for  an  help  to  memory,  we  may  be- 
gin every  particular  with  initial  known  letters  on 
the  points  of  the  compafs.  1.  North.  Never  ftir 
or  fleer  any  courfe,  but  by  light  from  God,  Pfa. 
cxix,  105,  Ifa.  viii.  10.  2.  N.  b.  E.  Never 
enter  upon  any  defign,  but  fuch  as  tends  towards 
Chrift,  A6ts  x.  43.  3.  N.  N.  E.  Note  nothing 
enviouily,  which  thrives  without  God,  Pfa.  lxxiii. 
12,  13.  4.  N.  E.  b.  N.  Never  enterprize  not 
warrantable  couries,  to  procure  any  the  molt 
prized  or  conceited  advantages,  1  Tim.  vi.  9,    ip, 

5.  N.  N.  E.  Now  entertain  the  facred  commands 
of  God,  if  hereafter  thou  expect  the  lovcreign  con- 
iolations  of  God,  Pfa.  cxix.  48,  6.  N.  E.  b.  E, 
Never  efteem  Egypt's  treasures  io  much,  as  for  them 
to  forfake  the  people  of  God,  Heb.  11.26.  7. 
E.  N.  E.  Err  not,  Efpecially  in  foul  affairs,  jftme^ 
i.  16.  1  Tim.  xix.  20.  2  Tim.  ii.  iS,  8.  E 
b*  N.  Efchew  nothing  but  fin,   1  Pet.  iii.  11.  Job 


14  ■  '-An  Epifile  to  Seamen. 

I  7.  8—31,  34.  9.  E.  Eftablifh.  thy  heart  with 
grace,  Heb.  xiii.  9.  10.  E.  b.  S.  Eye  Sanctity  in 
every  action,  1  Pet.  i.  15.  Zech.  xiv.  29.  11. 
E.  S.  E.  Ever  ftrive  earneftly  to  live  under,  and 
to  improve  the  means  of  grace.  12.  S.  E.  b.  E. 
Suffer  every  evil  punifhment  of  forrow,  rather  than 
leave  the  ways  of  Chrift  and  Grace.  13.  S.  E. 
Sigh  earneftly  for  more  enjoyments  of  Chrift.  14. 
S.  E.  b.  S.  Seek  ever  more  iome  evidences  of  Chrift 
in  you  the  hope  of  glory.  15.  S.  S.  E.  Still  let 
eternity  before  you,  in  regard  of  enjoying  Jefus 
Chrift,  John  xvii.  24.  16.  S.  b.  E.  Settle  ever  in 
your  foul,  as  a  principle  which  you  will  never  de- 
part from,  that  holinefs  and  true  happinefs  are  in 
Chrift  and  by  Chrift.  17.  S.  Set  thyfelf  always 
as  before  the  Lord,  Pfa.  xvi.  8.  Acts  ii.  25.  18. 
S.  b.  W.  See  weaknefs  haftning  thee  to  death, 
even  when  thou  art  at  the  higheft  pitch  or  point. 
19.  S.  S.  W.  See  fin  which  is  the  fting  of  death,  as 
taken  away  by  Chrift,  1  Cor.  xv.  55,  56.  20.  S. 
W.  b.  S.  Store  up  wifely  lbme  provisions  every 
day  for  your  dying  day.  21.  S.  W.  Set  world- 
ly things  under  your  feet,  before  death  come  to 
look  you  in  the  face.  22.  S.  W.  b.  W.  Still  weigh 
and  watch  with  loins  girded  and  lamps  trimmed, 
Luke  xii.  35,  36,  37,  23.  W.  S.  W.  Weigh 
foul-works,  and  all  in  the  balance  of  the  fanctuary. 
24,  W.  b.  S.  Walk  in  fweet  communion  with 
Chrift  here,  and  ib  thou  maift  die  in  peace, 
Luke  ii.  29.  25.  Weft.  Whatfoever  thy  condi- 
tion be  in  this  world,  eye  God  as  the  difpofer  of  it, 
and  therein  be  contented,  Phil.  iv.  1 1.  26.  W.  b. 
N.  Walk  not  according  to  the  courfe  of  the  moil, 
butaafter  the  example  of  the  beft.  27.  W.  N.  W. 
Weigh  not  what  men  fpeak  or  think  of  thee,  fo  God 
approve  thee,  2  Chro,   x.  28.     Rom.  ii.  28,  29. 


Sailing  Heavenward,  1$ 

%%    N  W  b.  W.  Never   wink  at,  but  watch  a- 
gainft  foali  fins,  nor  neglecl   little  duties    Eph.  v. 
I-      29.  N.  W.     Never  wifh  rafhly  for  death, 
nor  love  life  too   inordinately,  Job  iii.  4.     30.    N. 
W    b  N.     Now  work  nimbly   ere  night  come, 
johnxii.  35,  36.     Eccl.  9.    17.     &•  «-  N-  W. 
Name  nothing  when  thou  pleadeft  with  God  lor  thy 
foul,  but  Chrift  and  free  grace,  Dan.  9.  17.     32. 
N  b  W   Now  welcome  Chrift,  if  at  death  thou  wilt 
be  welcomed  by  Chrift.    A  tender,  quick,  enliven- 
ed and  enlighted  conference,  is  the  only  point  upon 
which  we  muft  ereft  thefe  practical  rules  of  our  chnf- 
tian  compafs,  Heb.xiii.  1.2  Cor.  i.  12.  Our  memo- 
ry, that  is  the  box  in   which  this  compafs  mult  be 
kept,  in  which  thefe  rules   muft  be  treafured,  that 
we  may  be  as  ready  and   expert  in  them,  as   the 
mariner  is  in  his  lea  compafs.     So  much   for   the 
fpeculative  and  practical  parts  of  the  art  of  loul-lpi- 
ntual-navigation.     The  affectionate  part  doth  prin- 
cipally lie  in  the  fecret  motions  or  movings  of  the 
foul  towards  God,  in  the  affections  which  are  railed 
and  warmed,  and  efpecially  appear  active  in  medi- 
tation :  meditation  being  as  it  were  the   limbeck 
or  dill  in  which  the  affections  heat  and  melt,  and 
as  it  were  drop  iweet  fpiritual  waters.     The  affec- 
tionate author  of  the  chriftian  compafs  doth  indeed, 
in  the  third  and  laft  part    of  his  undertaking,    hint 
at  leveled  meditations  which  the  fpiritual  feaman  is 
to  be  acquainted  with,  unto  which  thou  haft  an  ex- 
cellent fupplement  in  this  mvo  compajs  for  feamou 
This  collection  is  prefixt,  that  at  once  thou  mayelt 
view  all  the  companies  (both  the  fpeculative,  prac- 
tical, and  affectionate)  by  which  thou   muft  fteer 
heavenward;    What  further  lhall  be  added  by  way 
q{  preface,  is  not  to  commend  tins  new  compafs, 


1 6  An  Epijlle  to  Seamen 

which  indeed  (2  Cor.  iii.  1.)  needs  no  juftalicon 
epiflolon,  Letters  of  'commendation,  or  any  panegyrick  to 
uiher  it  unto  any  honeft  heart  \  but  to  ftir  up  all, 
efpecially  Teamen,  to  make  conference  of  ufing  fuch 
choice  helps  for  the  promoting  the  fanclitication 
and  falvation  of  their  fouls,  for  the  making  of  them  as 
dexterous  in  the  art  of  fpiritual  navigation,  as  any 
of  them  are  in  the  art  of  natural  navigation.  Con- 
fider  therefore, 

1.  What  rich  merchandize  thy  foul  is.  Chrifl 
afliires  us,  one  foul  is  more  worth  than  all  the  world. 
The  Lord  Jems  doth  as  it  were  put  the  whole 
world  in  one  fcale,  and  one  foul  in  the  other,  and 
the  world  is  found  too  light,  Mat.  xvi.  26.  Shouldft 
thou  by  fkill  in  natural  navigation  carry  fafe  all  the 
treaiures  of  the  Indies  into  thine  own  port,  yea,  gain 
the  whole  world,  and  for  want  of  fkill  in  fpiritual 
navigation  lofe  thy  foul,  thou  would  (I  be  the  great- 
eft  loler  in  the  world.  So  far  wilt  thou  be  from 
profiting  by  any  of  thy  lea  voyages.  There  is  a 
plain  meiofts  in  thofe  words  of  Chrift,  What  is  a 
man  profited  if  he  fl?all  gain  the  whole  zvorld,  and  lofe 
his  own  foul  *  or  what  jhall  a  man  give  in  exchange 
for  his  foul  f  More  is  meant,  than  is  fpoken. 

2.    What   a  leaking  veflel    thy 
body  is,  in  which  this   unfpeakable      %f*"  c-!-w>  t> 
inconceivable  rich  treafure,  thy  loul, 
is  embarked  !  O  the  many  difeafes 
and  diftemoers  in  the  humours  and       Thc  f"8"?^?? 
paflions,  that  thv  body  is  lubjecx  to  I     cnoagh  to  |w  in 
U   is   above  2000   years   ago,  that     ^and^thy 
there  have  been   reckoned   up  300 
names  of  difeafes ;  and  there  be  many 
under  one  name,  and  many   namelefs,  which  pofe 
the  phyficians  not  only  how  to  cure  them,  but  how 
to  call  them.     And  for  the  affeftions  and  paflions 


Sailin?    Heavenward,  1 7 

t>f  the  mind,  the  diftempers  of  them  are  no  lefs 
deadly  to  fome,  than  the  difcafes  of  the  body.  But 
befides  thefe  internal  caufes,  there  are  many  exter- 
nal caufes  of  leaks  in  this  veffel,  as  *  poifonous  ma- 
lignities, wrathful  hoftilities,  and  cafual  miiliaps  ; 
very  (mall  matters  may  be  of  great  moment  to  the 
finking  of  this  veffel.  The  leaft  Gnat  in  the  Air 
may  choak  one,  as  it  did  Adrian,  a  Pope  of 
Rome;  a  little  hair  in  milk  may  flrangle  one,  as  it 
did  a  counfellor  in  7? ome  -y  a  little  (lone  of  a  raifin 
may  (lop  ones  breath  as  it  did  the  poetical  Poet 
Anacreon.  Thus  you  fee  what  a  leaking  VerTei 
you  fail  in.  Now  the  more  leaky  any  (hip  is,  the 
more  need  there  is  of  flrill  to  fleer  wifely. 

3.  Confider  what  a  dangerous  Sea  the  World  is, 
in  which  thy  foul  is  to  fail  in  the  leaking  (hip  of 
thy  body.  As  there  are  not  more  changes  in  the 
Sea,  than  are  in  the  world  being  only  conftant  in 
inconflancy,  "the  fafhion  of  this  world  fajjeih  away> 
1  Cor.vii.  31.  fo  there  are  not  more  dangers  in  the 
feas  for  mips,  than  there  are  in  the  world  for  fouls. 
In  this  world  fouls  meet  with  Rocks  and  fands,  Sy* 
tens  and  Pirates.  Worldly  temptations,  worldly 
luft,  and  worldly  company  caufe  many  to  drown 
them/elves  in  perdition,  1  Tim.  vi.  9.  The  very  things 
of  this  world  endanger  our  iouls.  By  worldly  ob- 
jects we  foon  grow  worldly.  It  is  hard  to  touch 
pitch,  and  not  be  defiled.  The  lulls  of  this  world 
ftain  our  glory,  and  the  men  of  this  world  pol- 
lute all  they  eonve'rfe  with.  A  man  that  keeps 
company  with  the  men  of  this  world,  is  like  him 
that  walketh  in  the  Sun,  tanned  infenfibly.  Thus, 
C 

*  In  Nubia,  quas  eft  /Ethiopia,  venerium  eft  cujus  grani  unias  decima  part 
hominem,  vel  unum  granum  decern  homines,  Dan.  Saner:  Hypom.  ^hyf. 
Cap.  2.  p.  47. 


i8  An  EpijUe  to  Seamen 

you  have   hinted    the   dangeroufnefs   of  the  Sea, 
wherein  you  are  to  fail.  Now,the  more  dangerous  the 
S^a  is,the  more  requifiteit  is  the  Tailor  be  an  artift. 
4.  Connder,  what  if  through  want  of  (kill  in  the 
heavenly     Art    of    Spiritual     Navigation,     thou 
ihouldft  not    (leer  thy  Courfe  aright  !  I  will  in- 
ilance     only     in     two     confequents     thereof.      1 
Thou   malt  arrive  at  the   heaven   of  happineis.    2 
Thou  (halt    be  drowned    in  the    Ocean  of  God's 
wrath.     As   true  as  the  word  of  God  is  true  ;  as 
Jure  as  the    Heavens  are   over  thy  head,    and  the 
PLarth   under  thy  feet  ;  as   fure  as  thou  yet  lived 
and' breathed  in  this  Air  ;  fotrue  and  certain  it  is, 
thou  (halt  never   enter  into   heaven,  but  fink  into 
the  depth  of  the  bottomlefs  pit.     Am  I  not  here- 
in a  meflenger   of  the  (added  tidings  that  ever  yet 
thy  Ears  did  hear  ?  Poflibly   row  thou    maked  a 
light  matter   of   thefe  things,    becaufe    thou  dod 
not  know  what  it  is  to  mils  of  heaven,  and  what  it 
is  for  ever    to  lie    under  the  wrath    of  God :  but 
hereafter   thou  wilt   know  fully,  what  it  is  to  have 
thy  foul  lod   eternally,  fa  loft,  as  that  God's  mer- 
cies, and  ail  the  good  there  is  in   Chrift,  (hall  nev- 
er fave  it ;  and  as  God  hath  fet  and  ordered  things, 
can  never  five  it.     Hereafter  thou  wilt  be  perfect- 
ly fenlible  of  the  good  that  thou  mighteft  have  had, 
and  of    the    evil   that  ihall    be   upon  thee    (this  is 
God's  preculi.ir  prerogative,  to  make  a  Creature  as 
fenlible  of  milery  as  be    pleafeth,)  then    thou  wilt 
have  other  thoughts  of  thefe  things  than  now  thou 
"had.     Then  the  thoughts  of    thy 
ignis  Gehenne         mind  mall  be  bufied  about  thy  loft 
luccbh     mifeiis,         Condition,  both  as  to  the  pain  of 

ut     videantundc  1Q{S)     anc]     pajn     Qf   fef\fe  •     fo     that 

doieant.  ihjtd.  dt         tnou  (halt  not  be  able  to  take  any 
fim.  ben.  l  1.  eafe  ^y  moment :  then,  that  thy 


Sailing    Heavenward.  19 

torments    may    be    increafed,     thy     knowledge, 
the  truth  of  thy  apprehenfions,  yea,  the  ftrength 
of  them,  mail  be  increafed ,  thou  (halt    have  true 
and'  deep   apprehenfions    of  the  greatneis  of  that 
good  that  thou  malt  mifs  of,  and  of  that  evil  which 
thou   malt    procure     unto   thy  feff ;    and    then 
thou  (halt  not    be  able  to  choofe,  but  to  apply  all 
thy  lofs,  all  thy  mifery  to  thy  ielf,  which  will  force 
thee  to  roar  out,  O  my  lofs  !  O  my  mifery  !  O  my 
unconceivable  unrecoverable  lofs  and  mifery  !  Yea, 
for  the    increafiag  of  thy  torments,  thy    affedtions 
and  memory  (hall  be  enlarged  :  O  that,  to  prevent 
that  lofs  and  memory  mail  be  enlarged  :  O  that,  to 
prevent  that  lofs  and  mifery,  thefe  things  may  now 
be  known  and  laid  to  heart !  O  that  blind  Under- 
{landing,  a  ftupid  judgment,  a  bribed  conicience* 
a   hard    heart,  a   bad    memory,    may    no   longer 
make  heaven  and  hell  to  feem  but  trifles  to  thee  ! 
Thou    wilt    then  eafily  be   perfwaded  to  make  it 
thy   main  bufinefs  here,  to   become  an  artift  in 
fpiritnal  navigation.     But  to  {hut  up  this  preface,  I 
lhall  briefly  acquaint  Seamen,  why  they   mould  of 
all  others,  be  men  of  fingular  piety  and  heave nlU 
nefs,  and  therefore  more  than  ordinarily  fludy  the 
heavenly  art  of  fpirit rial  Navigation..     O  that  Sea- 
men would  therefore  confider, 

1 .  How  nigh  they  border  upon  the  confines  of 
death  and  eternity  every  moment,  There  is  but  a 
flep,  but  an  inch  or  two  between  them  and  their 
graves  continually.  The  next  guff  may  over-let 
them  ;  the  next  wave  may  (wallow  them  up.  In 
one  place  lies  lurking  dangerous  rocks,  in  another 
perilous  fends,  and  every  where  ftorroy  winds,  rea- 
dy to  deftroy  them.  Well  may  the 
Seamen  cry  out,  Eg,  craftmum  nan  £&S55££; 
habuii  I  have  not  had  a  morrow  in  &  undi^j  .tmari. 
my  hands  thefe  many  years.   Should 


a<3  -An  Epijlle  to  Seamen 

not  they  then  be  extraordinary  feriousand  heavenly 
continually  ?  Certainly  (as  the  reverend  Author  of 
this   Nezv  Compafs  well    obferves)    nothing  more 
compofeth  the  heart  to  fuch  a  frame  than  the  lively 
apprehenfions  of  eternity  do  :  and  none  have  great- 
er external  advantages  for  that,  than  Seamen  have. 
2.  Confider    (Seamen)   what  extraordinary   help 
you  have  by  the  book  of  the  crea- 
Mundicreatioeft     ture ;  the  whole  creation    is  God's 
Scriptura  Dei,  cic     voice,   it  is  God's  excellent  hand- 
tr.cr.s.      univerfus     writing,  or  the   Sacred  Scriptures  of 
rmmdaseft  dense*,     the  Moft  High  to  teach  Us  much  of 
piicatus.  God,  and  what  reaibns  we  have  to 

bewail  our  rebellion  againft  God,  and  to  make  con- 
fcience  of  obeying  God  only,  naturally  and  conti- 
nually. The  heavens,  the  earth,  the  waters  are  the 
three  great  leaves  of  this  Book  of  God,  and  all 
the  creatures  are  ib  many  lines  in  thofe  leaves.  All 
that  learn  Dot  to  fear  and  ferve  God  by  the  help  of 
this  book  will  be  left  inexculable,  Rom.  i.  20. 
How  inexculable  then  will  ignorant  and  ungodly 
Seamen  be  r  Seamen  mould  in  this  refpect,  be  the 
belt  Scholars  in  the  Lord's  School,  feeing  they  do 
more,  than  others,  fee  the  works  of  the  Lord,  and 
Lis  wonders  in  the  great  deep,  Pfal.  cvii.  24. 

-.  Confider  how  often,  you  are  nearer  heaven 
than  any  people  in  the  world,  tfhey  mount  up  to  hea* 
veftty  rial.  cvii.  26.  It  has  been  (Sid  of  an  ungod- 
ly miniiter,  who  contradicled  his  preaching  in  his 
life  ; •■ml  converfation,  That  it  was  pity  he  mould 
ever  come  out  of  the  pulpit,  becaule  he  was  there 
as  near  heaven  as  ever  he  would  be.  Shall  it  be 
laid  of  you,  upon  the  feme  account,  That  'tis  pity 
you  ihould  come  down  fiom  the  high  towering 
waves  of  theica  ?  Should  not  Seamen*  that  in  (tor- 
weather  have  their  ket   (as  it  were)  upon  the 


Sailing  Heavenward* 


it 


battlements  of  heaven,  look  down  upon  all  earthly 
happinefs  in  this  world  but  as  bafe,  wacerilh,  and 
worthlefs  ?  The  great  cities  of  Campania  kern  but 
fmall  cottages  to  them  that  fland  on  the  Alpes. 
Should  not  Seamen%XhaX  (6  often  mount  up  to  hea- 
ven, make  it  their  main  bufmefs  here,  once  at  laft 
to  get  into  heaven  ?  What  (feamen)  (hall  you  only 
go  to  heaven  againft  your  wills  ?  When  feamen 
mount  up  to  heaven  in  a  ftorm,  the  Pfalmift  tells 
us,  that  their  fouls  are  melted  becaufe  of  trouble.  O 
that  you  were  continually  as  unwilling  to  go  to  hell, 
as  you  are  in  a  ftorm  to  go  to  heaven  ! 

4.   -And  laftly,  Confider  what  engagements  If 
upon  you  to  be  Angularly  holy,  from  your  fingulas. 
deliverances  &  falvations.They  that  go  down  to  the 
fea  in  (hips,  are  fometimes  in  the  valley  of  the  Ilia 
dow  of  death,  by  reafon  of  the  fpringing  of  peri 
lous  leaks  ;  and  yet  miraculoufly  delivered,  eithe 
by   fome   wonderful  flopping  of  the   leak,  or  b) 
God's  fending  fome  fhips  within  their  fight,  whei 
they  have  been  far  out  of  fight  of  any  land  ;  or  b} 
his  bringing  their  nca  tperifhing  fhips  fafe  to  fhore 
Sometimes  they  have  been  in  very  great  danger  0, 
being  taken  by  pirates,  yet  wonderfully  preferved, 
either  by  God's  calming  of  the  winds  in  that  part 
of  the  (ea  where  the  Pirates  have  failed,  or  by  giv- 
ing the  poor~purfued  fhip  a  flrong   gale  of  wind  to 
run  away  from  their  purfuers  -}  or  by  finking  the  Pi- 
rates, &c.     Sometimes  their   fhips  have  been  caft 
away,&  yet  they  themfelves  wonderfully  got  fafe  to 
fhore  upon  planks,  yards,  mafls,  &c.  I  might  be  end- 
lefs  in  enumerating  their  deliverances  from  drown- 
ing, from  burning,  from  flavery,  &c.  Sure  {feanen) 
your  extraordinary  falvations  lie  more  than  ordinary 
engagements  upon  you,  topraife,love,  fear,  obey  and 
truft  in  your  faviour  and  deliverer.  I  have  read,  that 


£2  An  Epiftle  to  Seamen, 

the   enthralled  Greeks  were  fo,  affecled  with  their 
liberty,  procured  by  Flaminhcs  the  Roman  general, 
that  their  fhrill  acclamations  of  Soter,  Soter,  A  Sa- 
viour, a   Saviour,  made   the  very   birds  fall   down 
from  the  heavens  aftonifhed.     O    how  fhould  lea- 
men  be  affecled  with  their  Jea-deHverances  !  Many 
that  have  been  delivered  from  Turkifhflavery,  have 
vowed  to  be   fervants  to    their  Redeemers  all    the 
days  of  their  lives.     Ah,  Sirs,  will  you  not  be  more 
than  ordinarily  God's  (ervants  all  the  days  of  your 
.  lives.     Seeing  you  have  been  fo  oft,  fo  wonderfully 
redeemed  from  death    itfelf  by   him  ?    Verily,  do 
what  you  can,  you  will  die  in  God's  debt.     As  for 
me,  God  foi  bid,   that  IJhouldfin  againft  the  Lord,  in 
ceafing  to  pray  for  you,  i  Sam.xii.  23,  24.     That  by 
theperufal  of  this  fhort  and  fweet  treatife,  wherein 
the  judicious  and  ingenious  author  hath  well  mixed 
utile  dulci,  profit  and  pleafure,  you  may  learn  the 
good  and  right   way,    even  to  fear  the    Lord,  and 
ferve  him  in  truth  with  all  your  hearts,  confidering 
how  great  things  he  hath  done  for  you  :  This  is  the 
hearty  prayer  of 

Your  cordial  Friend,  earnefily  defirous  of  a  pros- 
perous   Voyage  for  your  precious   and     im- 
■norlal  Souls.  T.  NL 


the     AUTHOR     to    the    READER, 


"  WHEN  dewy-cheeckM  Aurora  doth  difplay 

fS  Her  curtains,  to  let  in  the  new-born  day, 

"  Pier  heavenly  face  looks  red,  as  if  it  were 

«'  Dy'd  with  a  modeft  blufh,  'twixt  fliame  and  fear. 

•f  Sol  makes  her  blufh,  fufpecYing  that  he  will 

M  Scorch  fome  too  much,  and  others  leave  to  chilly 

««  With  fuch  a  blufh,  my  little  new-born  book 

<c  Goes  out  of  hand,  fufpeding  fome  may  look 

««  Upon  it  with  contempt,  while  others  raife 

"  So  mean  a  piece  too  high,  by  flattering  praifc. 

*'  Its  beauty  cannot  make  its  father  dote  j 

«  'Tis  a  poor  babe,  clad  in  a  fea-green  coat. 

t(  Its  gone  from  me  too  young,  and  now  is  run 

"  To  fea,  among  the  tribe  of  Zebu  Ion. 

«*  Go,  little  book,  thou  many  friends  wilt  findi 

**.  Among  that  tribe,  who  will  be  very  kind  ; 

«'  And  many  of  them  care  of  thee  will  take, 

**  Both  for  thy  own,  and  for  thy  father's  fake. 

*l  Heaven  fave  it  from  the  dangerous  ftorms  and  gufta 

"  That  will  be  raia'd  againft  it  by  men's  lufts, 

"  Guilt  makes  men  angry,  anger  is  a  ftorm  j 

"  But  facred  truth's  thy  fhelter,  fear  no  harm. 

"  On  times,  on  perfons,  no  reflections  found  ; 

<4  Though  with  reflection  few  books  more  abound. 

*'  Go,  little  book,  I  have  much  more  to  fay, 

**  But  fca-men  call  fer  thee,  thou  muft  away. 

if  Yet  ere  you  have  it,  grant  me  cne  requeft  ; 

"  Pray  do  not  keep  it  prifor.tr  in  your  chcft." 


A   new   COMPASS   for   SEAMEN, 


OR 


NAVIGATION 


SPIRITUALIZED. 


C    H    A    P.    I. 

The  launching  of  afloip  plainly  Jets  forth 
'Our  double  ft 'ate ,  by  ftrft  andjecond  birth. 

OBSERVATION. 

1VTO  (boner  is  a  fhip  built,  launched,  rigged,  vie* 
X\  tualled,  and  manned,  but  (he  is  presently 
lent  out  into  the  boifterous  ocean,  where  (he  is  nev* 
er  at  red,  but  continually  fluctuating,  toiling  and 
labouring,  until  (he  be  either  overwhelmed  and 
wrecked,  in  the  Tea,  or  through  age,  knocks  and 
bruifes,  grows  leaky  and  unferviceable  ;  and  fo  is 
hauled  up,  and  ript  abroad. 
D 


26  A  New  Compq/s  for  Seamen 


APPLICATION. 

No  fooner  come  we  into  the  world  as  men,  or  as 
chrifti^ns,  by  a  natural,  or  fupernatural  birth  ;  but 
thus  we  are  toft  upon  afea  of  troubles,  Job.  v.  7. 
Yet  man  is  bom  to  trouble ■,  as  /parks  Jiie  upwards. 
The  fpark  no  fooner  comes  out  of  the  fire,  but  it 
flies  up  naturally  ;  it  needs  not  any  external  force, 
help,  or  guidance,  but  afcends  from  a  principle  in 
itfelt  :  So  naturally,  fo  eatily,  doth  trouble  rife  out 
of  iin;  There  is  radically  all  the  mifery,  anguifh, 
and  trouble  in  the  world,  in  our  corrupt  natures. 
As  the  fpark  lies  clofe  hid  in  the  coals,  fo  doth 
mifery  in  fin  :  Every  fin  draws  a  rod  after  it.  And 
thele  forrows  and  troubles  fall  not  only  on  the  body, 
in  thofe  breaches,  flaws,  deformities,  pains,  aches, 
difeafes  to  which  it  is  fubjecl,  which  are  but  the 
groans  of  dying  nature,  and  its  crumbling,  by  de- 
grees, into  duft  again  ;  but  on  all  our  imployments 
and  callings  alio,  Gen.  iii.  17,  18,  19.  Thefe  are 
full  of  pain,  trouble,  and  difappoint merit.  .  Hag.  i. 
6.  We  earn  wages,  and  put  it  into  a  bag  with 
holes,  and  difquiet  ourfelves  in  vain  ;  all  our  re- 
lations are  full  of  trouble.  The  apoftle  fpeakingto 
thofe  that  marry,  faith,  1  Cor.  vii.  28.  Such  Jh all 
have  trouble  in  the  flejh.  Upon  which  words  one 
glaffeth  thus  :  Flefh  and  trouble  are  married  to- 
gether, whether  we  marry  or  no  :  But  they  that 
are  married,  marry  with,  and  match  into  new 
troubles  :  All  relations  have  their 
SeeMr  httattft  burdens,  as  well  as  their  corn- 
Care  ciotft.  forts.  it  were  endlefs  to  enu- 
merate the  lorrows  of  this  kind  and 
yet  the  troubles  of  the  body,  are  but  the  body  of 
troubles  :  The   fpirit  of  the    curie  falls  upon   the 


Or  Navigation  Spiritualized.  i  J 

fpiritual  and  noblcft  part  of  man.     The   foul  and 
body,  like  to  EzekiaFs  roll>  are  written  full   with 
forrows,  both   within   and   without.     So   that  we 
make  the  fame  report  of  our  lives,  when  we   come 
to  die,  that  old  Jacob  made  before  Pharaoh,  Gen. 
xlvii.  9.  Few  and  evil  have  the  days  of  the  years  of 
our  lives  been.     For  what  hath    man  of  all  his  labour, 
and  of  the  vexation    of  his   heart,  wherein  he  hath  la- 
boured under  the  fun  1    For  all  his  days  are  forrows 
and  his  travel  grief  yea,  his  heart  takeib  no  reft  in  the 
night  :  This  is  alfo  vanity,    Ecclef.  ii.  22,  23. 

Neither  doth  our  new  birth  free   us  from  trou- 
bles, though  then  they  be  fancYified,  fweetned,  and 
turned  into  bleflings  to  us.     We  put    not  off  the 
humane,  when  we  put  on  the  divine   nature  ;  nor 
are  we  then  freed  from  the  fenfe,  though  we  be  de- 
livered from  the  Ring  and  curfe  of  them.     Grace 
doth  not  prefently  pluck  out  all  thofe   arrows  that 
fin  hath  mot  into  the  fides  of  nature,  2  Cor.  vii.  5. 
When  we  were  come  into  Macedonia,  our  flejh  had  no 
reft,  but   we  were  troubled   on  every  fide  :  ivithout 
were  fightings  and  within   were  fears,   Rev.  vii.  14. 
Ihefe  are  they  that  came  out  of  great  tribulation.  The 
firft  cry  of  the  Newborn  chriftian  (fays  one)  gives 
hell  an  alarm,  and  awakens  the  rage,  both  of  devils 
and  men  againft  him.     Hence  Paul  and  Barnabas 
acquainted  thofe  new  converts,  Ads  xiv.  22.  "That 
through  much  tribulation,  they  mud  enter  into  the 
kingdom  of  God  :"  And  we   find  the  ftate   of  the 
church,  in  this  world,  fet  out.  (Ifa.  liv.  n.  by  the 
fimilitude  of  a  diftrefled  fhip  at  fea  :  Otbou  afjlicled 
(and  tojed)   with  tempefts,  and  not  comforted.   \Tof- 
ied)  as  Jonas'  fhip  was  ;  for  the  fame  word  is  there 
ufed,  Jonah  i.  11,  13.     As  a  vefTel  at  fea,  flormed,. 
and  violently  driven   without  rudder,  maft,fail,  or 
iacklings.  Nor  are  we  to  expect  freedom  from  thofe 


2  8  A  New  Compafs  for  Seamen. 

troubles,  until  harboured  in  heaven,  fee  2  Theff  L 
vii.  O  what  large  catalogues  of  experiences  do.  the 
faints  carry  to  heaven  with  them,  of  their  various 
exercifes,  dangers,  trials,  and  marvellous  preferva- 
tions  and  deliverances  out  of  all !  And  yet  alj  thefe 
troubles  without,  are  nothing  to  thofe  within  them  ; 
from  temptations,  corruption,  defertions,  by  pafli :>n 
and  compailion  :  Befides  their  own,  there  comes 
daily  upon  them  the  troubles  of  others  ;  many  ri- 
vulets fall  into  this  channel  and  brim,  yea  often 
over/low  the  banks,  Pfal.  xxxiv.  19.  Many  are  the 
afflictions  of  the  righteous. 

REFLECTION. 

Hence  fhould  the  gracelefs  heart  thus  reflect  up- 
on itfelf.  O  my  foul  !  into  what  afea  of  troubles 
art  thou  launched  forth  !  And  what  a  fad  cafe  thou 
art  in  !  Full  of  trouble,  and  full  of  fin,  and  thefe  do  ■ 
mutually  produce  each  other.  And  that  which  is. 
the  moil -dreadful  confjderation  of  all,  is,  That  I 
cannot  fee  the  end  of  them.  As. for  the  faints,  they 
fuffer  in  the  world  as  well  as  I  $  but  it  is  but  for  a 
while,  1  Ppt.  v,  10.  And  then  they  fhall  fuffer  no- 
more,  2  Theff.  L  7.  But  all  tears  fhall  be  wiped, 
azvay  from  their  eyes,  Rev.  vii.  17.  But  thy  troubles 
look  with,  a  long  vifage  :  Ah  !  they  are  but 
the  beginning  of  forrows,  but  a  parboiling 
before  I  be  roafted  in  the  flames  of  God's 
eternal  wrath.  If  I  continue  as  I  am,  L  fhall  but 
deceive  myfelf,  if  I  conclude  1  fhall  be  happy  in  the 
other  world,  becaufe  I  have  met  with  fo  much  for- 
row  in  this  :  For  1  read3  Jude  vii.  that  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  though  confumed  tQ 
afhes,  with. all  their  eflates  and  relations,  (a  forer 
temporal  judgment  than.- ever   yet   beiel    me)  dc^ 


Or,  Navigation  Spiritualized.  29 

notwithstanding  that,  continue  ftill  in  cc  everlafting 
chains,  under  darknefs  in  which  they  are  referred 
unro  the  judgment  of  the  great  day/'  The 
troubles  of  the  iaints  are  iancYified  to  them,  but 
mine  are  fruits  of  the  curie.  They  have  fpiritual 
confolations  to  ballance  them,  which  flow  into  their 
fouls  in  the  fame  height  and  degree  as  troubles  do 
upon  their  bodies,  2  Cor.  i.  5.  But  I  am  a  Granger 
to  their  comforts,  and  intermeddle  not  with  their  joys, 
Prov.  xiv.  10.  If  their  hearts  be  furcharged  with 
trouble,  they  have  a  God  to  go  to  ;  and  when  they 
have  opened  their  caufe  before  him,  they  are  eafed, 
return  with  comfort,  and  their  countenance  is  no  more 
fad>  1  Sam.  i.  18.  When  their  belly  is  as  bottles 
full  of  new  wine,  they  can  give  it  vent  by  pouring 
out  of  their  fouls  into  their  father's  boiom  :  But  I 
have  no  intereft  in,  nor  aca^aintance  with  this 
God  ;  nor  can  1  pray  unto  him  in  the  fpirit.  My 
griefs  are  fhut.  up  like  fire  in  my  bofom,  which 
preys  upon  my  fpirit.  This  is  my  forrow,  and  I 
alone  mull:  bear  it.  O  my  foul,  look  round  about 
thee  !  What  a  miferable  cafe  art  thou  in  ?  Reft  no 
longer  fatisfied  in  it,  but  look  out  for  a  Chriit  alfo. 
What  though  I  be  a  vile  unworthy  wretch  ?  yet  he 
promifeth  to  love  freely,  Hof.  xiv.  4.  And  invites 
fuch  as  are  heavy  laden  to  him,  Mat.  xi.  28. 

Hence  alfo  fhould  the  gracious  foul  re  fie  61  fweet- 
ly  upon  itfelf  after  this  manner  :  And  is  the  world 
fo  fuli  of  trouble  ?  O  my  foul.,  what  caufe  haft 
thou  to  ftand  admiring  at  the  indulgence  and  good- 
nets  of  God  to  thee  !  Thou  haft  hitherto  had  a 
fnooth  paflage  comparatively  to  what  others  have 
had.  How  hath  divine  wifdom  ordered  my  con- 
dition, and  caft  my  lot  ?  Have  I  been  chafxifed 
with  whips  ?  Others  with  fcorpoins  ;  Have  I  had 
no  peace  without  :  Some  have   neither  had   peace 


30  A  New  Compqfs  for  Seamen 

without  nor  within,  but  terrors  round  about  :  Or 
have  I  felt  trouble  in  my  flefli  and  fpirit  at  once  ? 
Yet.  have  they  not  been  extream,  either  for  time  or 
meafure.  And  hath  the  world  been  a  Sodom,  an 
Egypt  to  thee  ?  Why  then  doft  thou  thus  linger  in 
it,  and  hanker  after  it  ?  Why  do  I  not  long  to  be 
gone,  and  figh  more  heartily  for  deliverance  ?  Why 
are  the  thoughts  of  my  Lord's  coming  no  fweeter 
to  me,  and  the  day  of  my  full  deliverance  no  more 
panted  for  ?  And  why  am  I  no  more  careful  to 
maintain  peace  within,  fince  there  is  fo  much 
trouble  without  ?  Is  not  this  it  that  puts  weight 
into  all  outward  troubles,  and  makes  them  finking, 
that  they  fall  upon  me  when  my  fpiiit  is  dark  or 
wounded  ? 


THE     POEM. 

"  My  foul  art  thou  bcfieged 
*\  With  troubles  round  about  > 

**  If  thou  be  wife,  take  this  advice,. 
**  To  keepthefe  troubles  out. 
*f  Wife  rnen  will  keep  their  confcience  as  their  eyes  5 
"  For  in  their  c-.nJMnce  their  beft  treafure  lies. 
*'  See  you  be  tender  of  your  inward  peace  : 
•«  That  fhip  wreck,  then  your  mirth  and  joy  muft  ceafe. 
"  If  God  from  ynu  your  outward  comforts  rend, 
««  You'll  find  what  need  you  have  of  fuch  a  friend. 
««  If  this   be  not  by  fin  dertroyed  and  loft, 
<f  You  need  not  fear,  your  peace  will  quit  your  coft. 
t(  If  you  know  hoio  to  fweeten  any  grief, 
•«  Though  ne'er  fo  great,  or  to  procure  relief, 
**  Agaiiift  fk"  affliclicns,  which  like  deadly  darts 
"  Moft  fatal  are  lo  men  of  carnal  hearts, 


Or,  Navigation  Spiritualized.  31 


"  Reject  not  that  which  confcience  bids  you  chufe, 
«f  And  chufe  not  you,  what  confcience  faith,  rcfufe, 
"  If  fin  you  mujiy  or  mifery  under  lie, 
**  Refolve  to  bear,  and  chufb  the  mifery.' * 


CHAP.     II. 

In  the  vaft  Ocean  Jpiritual  eyes  defcry, 
God's  boundlefs  mercy,  and  eternity. 

OBSERVATION. 

THE  ocean  is  of  vail  extent  and  depth,  though 
fuppofedly  meafurable,  yet  nor  to  be  found- 
ed by  man.  It  compaiXeth  about  the  whole  earth, 
which  in  the  account  of  geographers,  is  twenty  one 
thoufand  and  fix  hundred  miles  in  compafs  ;  yet 
the  ocean  invirons  it  on  every  fide,  Ffal.  civ.  25. 
And  Job  xi.  9.  Suitable  to  which  is  that  of  the 
Doet. 

Turn  fret  a  diffudit,  rapidifque  tumefcere  veniis 
JuJJh  &  ambit  cc  circumdare  lift  or  a  terrae.       Ovid. 

He  fpread  the  fcas,  which  then  he  did  command, 
To  fwell  with  winds,  and  compafs  round  the  land. 

And  for  its  depth,  who  can  difcover  it  ?  The  fea 
in  fcriptureis  called,  The  deep,  Job  xxxviii.  30.  The 
Great  deepy  Gen.  vii.  it.  The  gathering  together 
of  the  waters  into  one  place,  Gen.  i.  9.  If  the 
vaftefl  mountain  were  call:  into  it,  it  would  appear 
on  more  than  the  head  of  a  pin  in  a  ton  of  water. 


3^  A  New  Compafs  for  Seamen 


APPLICATION. 

This  in  a  lively  manner  fhadows  forth  the  infi- 
nite and  incomprehenfible  mercy  of  our  God  ; 
whole  mercy  is  faid  to  be  over  all  his  works*  Pfal. 
civ.  9.  In  how  many  fweet  notions  is  the  mercy 
of  God  reprefented  to  us  in  the  fcripture.  He  is 
laid  to  be  plenteous,  Pfal.  cxxx.  7.  Abundant,  1  Pet. 
j.  3.  Rirhi  Eph.ii.  4.  In  mercy  ;  then*  that  his 
mercies  are  uufd-archable,  Eph.  iii.  8.  High  ns  the 
heaven  above  the  earth,  Pfal.  xxxvi.  5..  Which  are 
fo  high  and  vail,  that  the  whole  earth  is  but  a  fmall 
point  to  them  :  yea,  they  are  not  only  compared 
to  the  heavens,  but  to  come  home  to  the  metaphor, 
to  the  depths  of  the  fea,  Mic.  vii.  19.  Which  can 
fwailow  up  mountains  as  well  as  mole-hills  ;  and 
in  this  fea  God  had  drowned  fins  of  a  dreadful 
height  and  aggravation,  even  J  car  let,  crimfon  (i.  e.) 
deep  dyed  with  many  intenfive  aggravations,  Ifa.  i. 
i>8.  In  this  fea  was  the  fin  of  Manajjeh  drowned  * 
and  of  what  magnitude  that  was,  may  be  feen,  2. 
Chron.  xxxiii.  3.  Yea,  in  this  ocean  of  mercy,  did 
the  Lord  drown  and  cover  the  fins  of  Paid,  though 
a  blafphemer,  a  perfecutor,  injurious,  1  Tim.  i.  13. 
<c  None,  faith  Auguftine,  more  fierce  than  Paul  a- 
mong  the  perfecutors  ;  and  therefore  none  greater 
among  tinners  :"  To  which  himfelf  willingly  fub~ 
fcribes,  1  Tim.  i.  15.  Yet  pardoned.  How  hath 
mercy  rode  in  triumph,  and  been  glorified  upon  the 
vileft  of  men  !  How  hath  it  itopt  the  flanderous 
mouth  of  men  and  devils  !  it  hath  yearned  upon 
fornicators,  idolaters,  adulterers,  thieves,  covetous, 
drunkards,  revilers,  extortioners,  to  fuch  hath  the 
fceptre  of  mercy  been  (Iretched  forth,  upon  then- 
unfeigned  repentance  and  fubmiffion,  i  Cor.  vi.  9, 


Or,  Navigation  Spirfiiialfeej.  33 

What  doth  the  fpirit  of  God  aim  at,  in  fuch  a  large 
accumulation  of  names  of  mercy  P  But  to  convince 
poor  finners  of  the  abundant  fulneisand  riches  of  it^ 
it  they  will  but  fubmit  to  the  terms  on  which  it  is 
tendered  to  therm 

In  the  vaftnefs  of  the  ocean,  we  have  alfo  a  live-, 
ly  emblem  of   eternity.     Who  can  comprehend  or 
meaiuie  the  ocean,  but  God  ?  And  who  can  compre- 
hend eternity,  but  he  that  is  faid  to  inkah\lit?\fa.  lviii 
15.     Though   mallow  rivers   maybe  drained   and 
dried  ttj$  yet  the  ocean  cannot.     And  though  thefe 
traniitory  day's,  months,  and  years  will  at  laft  expire 
and   determine  3  yet  eternity  fhall   hot.     O  !   it  is 
a  long  world  !  and   amazing   matter   !    What   is 
cternity,'buE  a  conftant  permnanancy  oFperfons  and 
things*  in  one  and  the  fame  (late  and   condition  for 
ever  ,  putting  them  beyond  all  poflibility  of  change  ? 
The  heathens  were  wont    to  fhadow   it  by  a  circle* 
or  a  Inake  twitted  round.     It  will  be    to  all  of  us, 
either  a  perpetual  day  or   night,  which  will  not  be 
meaiured  by  watches,  hours,   minutes.     And  as  it 
cannot  be    meafured,  fo  neither  can  it  ever  be  di- 
minifhed.      When    thoufands   of  years   are  g<me, 
there  is  not  a  minute  lefs  to    come.     Gerhard  and 
Drexellhis  do  both  illufttate  it  by  this  known  fimi- 
litude  :  Suppofe  a    bird  were  to   come    once  in   a 
thoufand  year-,  to  tome  vaft  mountain  of  fand,  and 
carry  away  in  her  bill  one  fand  in  a  thoufand  years ; 
O  what  a  vaft  time  would  it  be,  before  that  immor- 
tal bird,  after  that  rate,  had  recovered   the  moun- 
tain !  yet  in  time  this   might  be  done.     For  there* 
would  be  ftill    feme  diminution  ;  but   in  eternity 
there  can  be  none.     There  be  three  things  in  time 

o 

which  are    not    competent  to   eternity  :  In    time 
there   is  zjuccejionj  one   generation,  year,  and  day 
E 


34  ^  Neiv    Compajs  for  Seamen 

paflcth,  and  another  comes  ;  but  eternity  is  a 
fixed  [now.)  In  time  there  is  a  diminution  and 
waiting  ;  the  more  is  part,  the  lefs  to  come  :  Bur. 
it  is  not  fo  in  eternity.  In  time  there  is  an  altera- 
tion of  condition  and  Itates  :  A  man  may  be  poor 
to  day,  and  rich  tomorrow  ;  fickly  and  difeafed  this 
W'?ek,  and  well  the  next;  now  in  contempt,  and 
anon  in  honour  :  But  no  change  paiTes  upon  us  in 
eternity.  As  the  tree  falls  at  death  and  judgment, 
fo  it  lies  forever.  If  in  hesven,  there  thou  arc  a  pil- 
lar, and  (halt  go  forth  no  more,  Rev.  iii.  12.  If  in 
hell,  no  redemption  thence,  but  the  fmoak  of  their 
torments  afcendeth  forever  and  ever,  Rev.  xix.  3. 

REFLECTION. 

And  is  the  mercy  of  God,  like  the  great  deeps, 
an  ocean,  that  none  can  fathom?  What  unfpeakable 
comfort  is  this  to  me  ?  may  the  pardoned  foul  fay. 
Did  Ifrael  ring  a  fong,  when  the  Lord  had  over- 
whelmed their  corporal  enemies  in  the  feas  J  And 
lhall  not  I  break  forth  into  his  praifes,  who  hath 
drowned  all  my  fins  in  the  depths  of  mercy  ?  O  my 
foul,  blels  thou  the  Lord,  and  let  his  high  praifes 
ewer  be  in  thy  mouth.  Mayft  not  thou  fay,  that 
he  hath  gone  to  as  high  an  extent  and  degree  o£ 
mercy,  in  pardoning  thee,  as  ever  he  did  in  any?  Oh 
my  God,  who  is  like  unto  thee  !  that  pardoned  in- 
iquity, tranfgreffion  and  fin.  What  mercy,  but  the 
mercy  of  a  God,  could  cover  fuch  abominations 
as  mine  ! 

But  O  !  what  terrible  reflections  will  confcience 
make  from  hence,  upon  all  the  defpifers  of  mercy, 
when  the  finners  eyes  come  to  be  opened  too  late 
for  mercy,  to  do  them  good  !  We  have  heard  in- 
dee^  that  the  King  of  heaven  was  a  merciful  King, 


Or   Navigation  Spiritualized.  35 

but  we  would  make  no  addrefs  to  him,  whilft  that 
Scepter  was  ftretched  out.  We  heard  of  balm  in 
Gi/ead,  and  a  phyfician  there,  that  was  able  and  wil- 
ling to  cure  all  our  wounds,  but  would  not  com- 
mit ourfelves  to  him.  We  read  that  the  arms  ot 
Chrift  were  open  to  embrace  and  receive  us,  but  we 
would  not.  O  unparallel'd  folly  !  O  foul-deftroy- 
ing  madnefs?  Now  the  womb  of  mercy  is  {hut  up, 
and  (hall  bring  forth  no  more  mercies  to  me  for  ev- 
er. Now  the  gates  of  grace  are  ihut,  and  no  cries 
can  open  them. 

Mercy  afted  its  part,  and  is  gone  off  the  ft  age  j 
and  now  juflice  enters  the  fccne  and  will  be  glori- 
fied for  ever  upon  me.  How  often  did  I  hear  the 
bowels  ot  companion  founding  in  the  gofpel  for 
me  ?  But  my  hard  and  impenitent  heart  could  not 
relent  ;  and  now,  if  it  could,  it  is  too  late.  I  am 
now  pad  out  of  the  ocean  of  mercy,  info  the  ocean 
of  eternity,  where  lam  fixed  in  the  midft  of  end- 
lefs  mifery,  and  mail  never  hear  the  voice  of  mercy 
more, 

O  dreadful  eternity  !  Oh  foul-confounding  word  I 
An  ocean  indeed,  to  which  this  ocean  is  but  as  a 
drop  ;  for  in  thee  no  foul  fhall  fee  either  bank  ov 
bottom.  If  I  lie  but  one  night  under  ftrong  pains 
of  body,  how  tedious  doth  that  night  feem  1  And 
how  do  I  tell  the  clock,  and  wifh  for  day  !  In  the 
world  I  might  have  had  life,  and  would  not  ;  And 
now,  how  fain  would  I  have  death,  but  cannot  ? 
How  quick  were  my  fins  in  execution  ?  And  how 
long  is  their  punifhment  in  duration  ?  O,  how  fhall 
I  dwell  with  everlafling  burnings  ?  Oh  that  God 
would  but  vouchfafe  one  treaty  more  with  me  !  But 
alas,  all  tenders  and  treaties  are  now  at  an  end  with 
me.  On  earth  peace,  Luke  ii.  14.  But  none  in 
hell.     O  my  foul  confider  thefe  things  :  come,  let 


^S  A  New  Compafs  for  Seamen 

us  debate  this  matter  ferioufly,   before  we   launch 
out  into  this  ocean. 


THE    POEM. 

«<  Who  from  fome  h:'gh-rais'd  tower  views  the  ground;, 

■«  His  heart    doth  tremble,  and  his  head  doth  round  ; 

*t  Even  fo  my  foul,  whilft  it  doth  view  and  think 

«<  On  this  eternity,  upon  whofe  brink 

««  It  borders,  flands  amazed,  and  doth  ay, 

*<  O  boundlefs  !  bottomh-fs  eternity  !■ 

«<  The  fcourge  of  hell,  whofe  very  lafh  doth  rend 

"  The  damned  fouls  in  twain  :  What!  never  endf. 

<*  The  move  thereon  they  ponder,  think  and.  pore, 

«,*  The  more,  poor  wretches,  ftill  they  howl  and  roar, 

,s  Ah  !  through  more  years  in  torment  we  fhoulilU* 

"  Than  fends  are  on  the  more,  cr  in  the  fkie 

*l  Are  twinkling  ftars  :  yet  this  gives  fome  relief, 

il  The  hope  of  ending.     Ah  !  but  here's  the  grief  * 

<r.  A  thoufand  years  in  torments  paft  and  gene, 

«<  Ten  thoufand  mere  afrefn  are  coming  on  ; 

"  A;;d  when  thefe  thoufandsall  their  courfe  have  run, 

cc  The  end's  no  more  than  when  at  firft  begun. 

st  Come  then,  my  foul,  let  us  difcourfe  together 

c:  This  weighty  points  and  tell  me  plainly  whether 

*'  You  for  thefe  fhoit-liv'd  points,  that  come  and  gc( 

(<  Will  plurge  yourfclf  and  me  in  endlefs  woe. 

iC  Refolve  the  queftion  quickly,  dc  not  dream 

*l  More  time  away.     Lo,  in  an  hafty  ftream 

•'  We  fwiftly   pafs,  and  fhortly  we  (hall  be 

*'  Ingulphcd  both,  inthi:-  eternity. 


Or   Navigation   Spiritualized.  37 


CHAP.     III. 

IVithinihefe  fmooth- faced  fees  firange  creatures  crazvl^ 
But  in  man  s  heart,  far  greater  than  them  all. 

OBSERVATION. 

IT  was  an  unndvifed    faying   of  Plato,  Mare  nil 
memorabile  producit  \  The  fea  prod uceth    noth- 
ing memorable.     But   furely  there  is  much  of  the 
wifdom,  power,  and  goodnefs  of  God  manifeiled  in 
thofe  inhabitants  of  the  watery    region  :   Notwith- 
ftandin^  the  feus  azure    and   mailing;  face,   ftrange 
creatures    are  bred  in  its  womb.     "  O  Lord,  Haith 
David)  how  manifold  are  thy  works  ?  In  wifdom 
haft  thou  made  them  all  ;  the  earth  is  full   of  thy 
riches.     So  is  this  great  and   wide   fea,  wherein  are 
things  creeping  innumerable,  both  fmall    and  great 
beafls,  Pfa.  civ.  24,  25.     And  we  read, Lam.  iv.  3. 
effea-mon/iers,  which  draw  out  their  breafts  to  their 
young.     Pliny 'and  Purchas  tell    incredible  (lories  a- 
"bout  them.  $About  the    topick  of  Capricorn,   our 
feamen  meet   with  flying  fillies,    that  have    wings 
like  a  rere-mcuje,  but  of  a  filver  colour  ;  they  fly  in 
flocks  like  flares.     There    are    creatures    of  very 
ftrange   forms  and  properties  ;  fome  relembling  a 
cow,  called  by   the   Spaniards,    Manatee  by   fome 
(uppofed  to  be  thefea-menfter  fpoken  o^h^ Jeremy. 
In  the  rivers  of  Guiana,  Purchas  faith,  there  are  fiuV 
es  that  have  four  eyes,  bearing  two   above  and    two. 
beneath  the  water  when  they  iwim  :  fome    refem- 
fcling  a  toad,  and   very   poifonous.  .  How  ftrange 


38  A  New   Compafs  for  Seamen 

both  in  fhape  and  property  is  the  fwotdfijh  and 
tbrajher,  that  fights  with  the  whale  f  Even  our  own 
feas  produce  creatures  of  ftrange  fhapes,  but  the 
commonnefs  takes  off  the  wonder. 

APPLICATION. 

Thus  doth  the  heart  of  man  naturally  (warm  and 
abound  with  ftrange  and  monftruous  lulls  and  abo- 
minations, Rom.  i.  29,  30,  31.  "Being  filled  with 
all  unrighteous,  fornication,  wickednefs,  covetouf- 
nefs,  maliciouiheis,  full  of  envy,  murder,  debate, 
deceit,  malignity,  wbifperers,  back-biters,  haters  of 
God,  defpiteful,  proud,  boafters,  inventors  of  evil 
things,  difobedient  to  parents,  without  undemand- 
ing, ccvenant-breakers,without  natural  affection,  im- 
placable, unmerciful."  O  what  a  fwarm  is  here  1 
and  yet  there  are  multitudes  more,  in  the  depth  of 
the  heart  !  and  it  is  no  worder,  confidering  that 
with  this  nature,  we  received  the  fpawn  of  the 
black  eft  and  yileft  abominations.  This  original 
luff  is  productive  to  them  all,  James  i.  14,  15. 
Which  lull,  though  it  be  in  every  man  numerically 
different  from  that  of  others,  yet  it  is  one  and  the 
fame  fpecifically,  for  fort  and  kind,  in  jftll  the  children 
of  Adam  :  even  a?  the  reafonable  foul,  though  every 
man  hath  his  own  foul,  viz.  a  foul  individually  dif- 
tin£b  from  another  man's,  yet  is  it  the  fame  for  kind 
in  all  men.  So  that  whatever  abominations  are  in 
the  hearts  and  lives  of  the  vileft  Sodomites,  and  moft 
profligate  wretches  under  heaven,  there  is  the  fame 
matter  in  thy  heart  out  of  which  they  were  fhaped 
and  formed.  In  the  depths  of  the  heart  they  are 
conceived,  and  thence  they  crawl  out  of  the  eyes, 
hands,  lips,  and  all  the  members,  Mat.  xv.  18,  19. 
"  Thofe  things  (faith  (Thrift)  which   proceed   out 


Or>    Navigation   Spiritualize  J.  39 

cf  the  mouth,  come  forth  from  the  heart,  and  defile 
a  man.  For  out  of  the  heart  proceed  evil  thoughts, 
murders,  adulteries,  fornications,  thefts,  falfe  wit- 
ness, blafpemies  :"  Even  fuch  monfters,  as  would 
make  a  gracious  heart  tremble  to  behold.  "  WJiat 

are  my    lufls,   (faith   one)    but    fb 

FuiLss  Medira-      many  toads  {pitting   of  venom,  and 

tons,  P>  ii.  fpawning  of  poifon  j  croaking  in  my 

judgment,  creeping  in  my  will,  and 
crawling  into  my  affections  ?**  The  Apoflle  in  1 
Cor.  v.  1.  Tell  us  of  a  fin,  Not  to  be  named  ;  fo 
monftrous  that  nature  itfelf  ftartlesat  it  :  even  fuch 
monfters  are  generated  in  the  depths  of  the  heart. 
Whence  come  evils  ?  Was  a  queftion  that  much 
puzzled  the  philofophers  of  old.  Now  here  you 
may  fee  whence  they  come,  and  where  they  are  be- 
gotten. 

REFLECTION 

And  are  there  fuch  ftrange  abominations  in  ths 
heart  of  man  ?  then  how  is  he  degenerated  from 
his  primitive  perfection  and  glory  !  his  ftreamswere 
once  as  clear  as  a  cryftal,  and  the  fountain  of  them 
pure,  there  was  no  unclean  creature  moving  in 
them.  What  a  ftateiy  fabrick  was  the  foul  at 
firft  !  and  what  holy  inhabitants  pofTefTed  the  lev- 
eral  rooms  thereoi  ?  But  now  (as  God  fpeaks  of 
Iditmed)  Ifa.  xxxiv.  11.  "  The  line  of  confufion 
is  ftretched  out  upon  it,  and  the  ftones  of  emptinefs. 
The  cormorant  and  bittern  poffefs  it  ;  the  owl  and 
the  raven  dwell  in  it."  Yea  wild  beafts  of  the  de- 
fart  lie  there  ;  it  is  full  of  doleful  creatures,  the  fa- 
tyres  dance  in  it,  and  dragons  cry  in  thofe  fome- 
times  pleafant  places  "  O  fad  change  !  how  fadly 
may   we  look   back  towards  our  firft   ftate  !  and 


4-o  A  New  Compafs  fir  Seamen 

take  up  the  words  of  Job,  "  O  that  I  were  as  sri 
months  paft,  as  in  the  days  of  my  youth  ;  when  the 
AlmigLtv,  was  yet  wrifh  me,  when  I  put  on  righte- 
outnefs,  and  it  cloathed  me  ;  when  my  glory  was 
frefh  in  me,"  Job  xxix.  2,4,  5. 

Again,  think  O  my  foul    what  a   miferable  con- 
dition the   unre^enerare    abkte  in  !   thus   fw  armed 
and  over-run  with  hellifh  lufts,  under  the  dominion 
and  yafialage  of  divers  lufts,  Tit.  iii.  3.     What  a 
tumultuous  Tea  is  fuch  a  foul  !   How  do  thefe  lufts 
rage  within  them  !   how  do  they  conteft  and  fcuffle 
for  the  throne  !  and  uiuatly   take  it  by  turns  :   For 
as  ail  difeafes  are  contrary  to  health,  yet  fome  con- 
trary to    each    other,    fo    are    lufts.     Hence   poor 
creatures  are  hurried  on  to  different  kinds  of  iervi- 
tude,  according  to  the  nature  of  that  imperious  luft 
that  is  in  the  throne  ;  and  like    the  lunatick,  Mat. 
17.  Are  fometimes  cad  into  the  water  }  and  fome- 
times  into  thzjire.     Well  might    the   prophet  fay, 
"  The  wicked  is  like    a  troubled  fea    that   cannot 
reft,"  lia.  Ivii.  20.     They  have  no    peace  now  in 
the  fervice  of  fin,  and  lefs  they  (hall  have  hereafter, 
when  they  receive  the  wages  of  fin.     "  There  is  no 
peace  to  the  wicked,  faith  my  God;"     They  indeed 
cry.  Peace,  peace  ;  but    my    God  doth   not  fay  ibi 
The  la  ft  ilfue  and  refult  of  this  is    eternal  death  5 
no  fooner  is  it   delivered  of  its   deceitful   pleafures, 
but    prefently  it  falls  in   travail  again,  and  brings 
forth  death,  James  K  15. 

Once  more  :  and  is  the  heart  fuch  a  fea,  abound- 
ing with  monftrous  abominations  ?  then  ftandafto- 
nifhed,  Q  my  foul,  at  that  free  grace  which  hath 
delivered  thee  from  fo  fad  a  condition  !  O  fall 
down,  and  kifs  the  feet  of  mercy  that  moved  ib 
freely  and  leaibnably  to  thy  refcue  !  let  my  heart  be 


br  Navigation  Spirituahzecl.  41 

enlarged  abundantly  here.  Lord,  what  am  I*  that 
I  mould  be  taken,  and  others  It  ft  ?  Reflecl,  O  my 
foul,  upon  the  conceptions  and  births  of  lufts>  in 
the  days  of  vanity,  which  thou  now  blufhtft  to  own. 
O  what  black  imaginations,  hellifh  defires*  vile  af- 
fections, are  lodged  there  !  Who  made  me  to  dif- 
fer ?  or,  how  came  I  to  be  thus  wonderfully  fepa- 
rated  ?  furely,  it  is  bv  thy  free  grace,  and  nothing 
elfe,  that  I  am  what  I  am  :  and  by  that  grace  I 
have  efcaped  (to  mine  own  aftonifhment)  the  cor- 
ruption that  is  in  the  world  through  luft.  O  that 
ever  the  holy  God  fhould  fet  his  eyes  oh  iu..h  an 
one  :  or  caft  a  look  of  love  towards  me,  in  whorrt 
were  regions  of  unclean  lulls  and  abominations  ! 


THE    POEM, 

*«  My  foul's  the  fea  wherein  from  day  to  day^ 

"  Sins  like  Leviathans  do  fport  and  play. 

*«  Great  mafter-iufis,  with  all  the  lefler  fry; 

«c  Therein  increafe,  and  ftrangely  multiply. 

*«  Yet  ftrange  it  is  not,  fin  fo  fa  ft  mould  breed  j 

**   Since  with  this  nature  I  received  the  feed 

«J  And  fpawn  of  every  fpecies,  which  was  flied 

"  Into  its  caverns  firft,  then  nourilhed 

«  By  its  own  native  warmth  :  which  like  the  furij 

lf  Hath  quickened  them,  and  now  abroad  they  come^ 

•*  And  like  the  frogs  of  Egypt  creep  and  crawl 

**  Into  the  cloieft  rooms  within  my  foul.     . 

**  My  fancy  (warns,  for  there  they  fri/k  and  play, 

*<  In  dreams  by  night,  and  foolifli  toys  by  day. 

"  My  judgment's  clouded  by  them,  and  my  will 

if 


A  New  Ccmpyfs  for  Seamen 

t(  Perverted  every  corner  they  do  fill. 

'»  As  locufts  fa.  e  on  all  that's  frefh  and  greeny 

"  Uneloath  the  beauteous  fp-ing,  aid  make  it  feeni 

<<  Like  drooping  Autumn  ;    fo  my  foul,  thatfirft 

"  As  Eden  fcem'd,  now's  like  a  ground  that's  curft. 

**  Lord  purge  my  fh  cams,  and  kill  thefe  lufts  that  lie 

"  Within  them  j  if  thou  donot>  I  muft  die. 


CHAP.    t% 

Seas  purge  tbemfefoes,  and  call  their  filth  afljore^ 
But  gracelefs  fouls  retain,  and  fuck  in  more. 

OBSERVATION. 

EAS  are  in  a  continual  motion  and  agitation  j 
they  have  their  flux  and  reflux,  by  which  they 
are  kept  from  putrefaction  :  like  a  fountain  it  cleanfls 
itfelf,  Ila.  57.'  20.  '*  It  cannot  reft  but  cart  up 
r.ii'-e  and  d irt  ;"  whereas  lakes  and  ponds,  whole 
waters  are  (landing,  and  dead,;  corrupt  and (link . 
And  it  is  obferved  by  lea-men,  that  in  the  fouthern 
parts  of  the  world,  where  the  fea  is  more  calm  and 
Settled,  it  is  more  corrupt  and  unfit  for  ufe  -9  fo  i(; 
the  fea  of  Sodom  called  The  dead  Sea. 

A  P  P  L  I  C  si  r  1  O  N. 

Thu^do  regenerate  fouls  purify  them'felvcs,  and 

work  out  corruption  that  defiles  them,  they  cannot 

■  r  it  to  fettle  there,  1  John  iii.  3.     u  He  purifi- 

eth  himfcif,    even  as  he  is  pure.     Keeping  himielf, 

H^fcthe  wicked  one   toucheth  him   not,"   1  John 


Or,  Navigation  Spiritualized.  43 

v.  18.  Sell-     Taflo   qualitative?,  mth  a  qualitative 
touch,  as   the  load-ftone  toucheth  iron,  leaving  an 
impfefTion  of  its  nature  behind  it.     They  are  doves 
delighting  in  cleannefs,  Jfa.   xxxiii.  15.     "  He  de- 
fpifeth  the  gain  of  opprefiion,  he  fhaketh  his  hands 
from  holding   of  bribes,  ftoppeth   his   ears   from 
hearing  blood,  and    fhutteth   his  eyes    from  feeing 
evil."     See  how  all  fenfes  and  members  are  guard- 
ed againft  fin  :  but  it  is  quite  contrary  with  the  wick- 
ed ;  there-  is  no  principle  of  holinefs   in    them,   to 
oppofe  or  expel  corruption,     It    lies  in  their  hearts 
as  mud  in  a  lake  or  well,  winch  fettles  and  corrupts 
more  and  more.     Hence  Ezek,  xlviu   11.     Their 
hearts  are  compared  to  miry  or  marifh  places,  wlii'cti 
cannot  be  healed,  but  are  given  to  fait:  The  mean- 
ing is,  that  the  pureft  ft  reams  of  the  gofpel,  which 
cleanfe  others,  make  them  worfe  than  before,  as  a- 
bundance  of  rain  will  a  miry  place,     The  reafon  is, 
becaufe  it  meets  with  an  obftacle  in  their  fouls  ;  io 
that  it  cannot  run  through  them  and  be  glorified, 
as  it  doth  in  gracious  fouls.     All  the  means  and  en- 
deavours ufed  to  cleanfe  them,  are  in  vain  ;    all  the 
grace  of  God  they   receive  in  vain  :   "  They   hold 
fall  deceit,   they  refufe    to  let  it  go,"  Jer.  viii.  5. 
Sin  is  not  m  them  as  floating  weeds  upon    the  lea, 
which  it  -ftrives  to  expel  and  purge  out,  but  as/pots 
in  the  leopards  fkin,  Jer.  xiii.  21.  Or  letters  fafriion- 
ed  and  engraven  in  the  very  lubftance  of  marble  or 
brafs3  with  a  pen  of  iron,  and  point  of  a  diamond, 
Jer.  xvii,  1.  Or  as  ivy  in  aq  old  wall,  that  hath  got 
rooting   into    its  very   intrails.     "  Wickednefs  is 
fweet    in  their   mouths,    they  roul  it  under  their 
tongues,''  Job  xx.    12.     No  threats  nor  prom.iies 
can.  divorce  them  from  it,  Wk 


4  J  ^  New  Compqfs  for  Seamen 


REFLECTION. 

Lord  !  this  is  the  very  frame  of  my  heart,  may 
the  gracelefs  foul  fay  :  my  corruptions  quietly  fet- 
tle in  me,  my  heart  labours  not  againft  it ;  1  am  a 
ftranger  to  that  conflict  which  is  daily  maintained 
in  all  the  faculties  of  the  regenerate  foul.  Glorifi- 
ed fouls  have  no  fuch  conflict,  becaufe  grace  in  them 
(lands  alone,  and  is  perfectly  triumphant  over  all  its 
oppofites ;  and  gracelefs  fouls  can  have  no  fuch  con- 
flict,  becaufe  in  them  corruption  ftands  alone,  and 
hath  no  other  principle  to  make  oppofition  to  it. 
And  this  is  my  cafe,  O  Lord  :  I  am  full  of  vain /:  •*J 
hopes  indeed,  but  had  I  a  living  and  well-ground- 
ed hope  to  dwell  forever  with  fo  holy  a  God",  I 
could  not  but  be  daily  purifying  myfelf.  But  O  i  - 
what  will  the  end  of  this  be  ?  I  have  caufe  to  trem-\ 
ble  at  that  lafl  and  dreadfullefl  curfe  in  the  book  of 
God,  Rev.  xxii.  u.  "  Let  him  that  is  filthy  "be 
filthy  (till."  Is  it  not  as  much  as  if  God  fhould 
fay,  Let  them  alone,  I  will  fpend  no  more  rods  up- 
on them,  no  more  means  (hall  be  ufed  about  them  ; 
but  I  will  reckon  with  them  for  all  together  in  an- 
other world  ;  O  my  foul  1  what  a  dilmal  reckon- 
ing will  that  be  !  ponder  with  thyfelf  in  the  mean, 
while,  thofe  terrible  and  awakening  texts,  that  if 
podible,  this  fatal  ifTue  may  be  prevented.  See 
Jla.  i.  5.     Hof.  iv.  14.     Jer,    vi.  29,  30.     Heb. 


Or,  Navigation  Spiritualized.  4- 


T  H  E    POEM. 

f '  My  heart's  no  fountain,  but  a  (landing  lake 
«  Of  putrid  waters ;  if  therein  I  rake, 
f*  By  ferious  fearch,  O  !  what  a  noifome  fmell, 
**  Like  exhalations  rifwg  out  of  hell  j 
<«  The  (linking  waters  pump'd  up  from  the  hole, 
'*  Are  as  perfumes  to  fea-men  :  but  my  foul 
,{  Upon  the  fame  account  that  they  are  glad, 

.  f{  (Its  long  continuance  there  )  is  therefore  fad. 
"  The  fcripture  faith,  No  foul  God's  face  fall  fee 
"  Till -from  fuch  filthy  lufts  it  cleanfed  be.  ' 
ft  Yet  though  unclean,  it  may  that  way  be  rid, 
«*  As  Hercules  the  Augean  (labie  did. 
c;  Lord  turn  into  my  foul  that  cleanfing  blood, 
*'  Which  from  my  Saviour's  fide  flow'd  as  a  flood. 
"  Flow,  facred  fountain,  brim  my  banks  j  and  flow 

►*<  Till  you  have  made  my  foul  as  white  as  fnow. 


C    H    A    P.     V. 

Seamen  fore-fee  a  danger  >  and  prepare  : 
Yet  few  of  greater  dangers  are  aware. 

0  B  S  E  R  V  A  T  I  O  N. 

HOW  watchful  and  quick-fighted  are  Teamen, 
to  prevent  dangers  ?  It  the  wind  die  away, 
and  then  frefh  uplbutherly  ;  or  if  they  fee  the  iky 
hazy,  they  provide  for  a  ftorm  :  if  by  the  projec- 
tive glafs  they  ken  a  pirate  at  the  greatefl  diftance, 
they  clear  the  gun-room,  prepare  for  fight,  and 
bear  up,  ifabletodeal  with  him  5  if  not,  they  keep 


46  A  New  Compafs  for  Seamen 

clofeby  the  wind,  make  all  the  fail  they  can,  and 
bear  away.  If  they  fuppofe  themfelves  by  their 
reckoning  near  land,  how  often  do  they  found  ? 
And  if  upon  ar  coaft  with  which  they  are  unac- 
quainted, how  careful  are  they  to  get  a  pilot  that 
knows  and  is  acquainted  with  it  ? 

APPLICATION. 

Thus  watchful  and  fufpicious  ought  we  to  be  in 
fpiritual  concernments.  We  mould  fludy,  and  be 
acquainted  with  Satan's  wiles  and  policy  :  The 
Apoftle  takes  it  for  granted,  that  chriftians 
are  not  ignorant  of  his  devices,  2  Cor.  ii.  n . 
The  ferp&nfs  eve  (as  one  faith)  would  do  well  in  the 
dove's  head  :  The  devil  is  a  cunning  pirate,  he  puts 
out  falfe  colours,  and  ordinarily  comes  up  to  the 
chriftian  in  the  difguife  of  a  friend. 

O  the  manifold  deeps  and  ftratagems  of  Satan^ 
to  deftroy  fouls  1  Though  he  have  no  wifdom  to 
do  himfelf  good,  yet  policy  enough  to  do  us  mif- 
chief,  He  lies  in  ambufli  behind  our  lawful  com- 
forts and  employments  :  yet  for  the  moil  of  men, 
how  fupine  and  carelefs  are  they,  fufpecling  no  dan- 
ger ;  Their  fouls,  like  Lai/h,  dwell  careleily  ;  their 
ienfcs  unguarded.  O  what  an  eafy  pri?e  and  con- 
queft  doth  the  devil  make  of  them  ! 

Indeed,  if  it  were  with  us,  as  with  Adam  in  inno- 
eency,  or  as  it  was  with  Chrift  in  the  days  of  his 
fkfh  (who  by  reafon  of  that  overflowing  fulnefs  of 
grace  that  dwelt  in  him,  the  purity  of  his  perfon, 
and  the  hypoftacal  union,  was  fecured  from  the  dan- 
ger of  all  temptations)  the  cafe  then  were  other- 
wife  but  we  have  a  traitor  within,  James  i.  14  15. 
As  well  as  a  temper  without,  1  Pet.  v.  3.  "  Our 
Sjdverfary   the  devil  goes  about  as  a  roaring  lion, 


Or  Navigation    Spiritualized.  47 

feeking  whom  he  may  devour,"  And  like  the 
beads  of  the  foreft,  poor  fouls,  lie  down  before 
him,  and  become  his  prey.  All  the  fagacity,  wit* 
policy  and  forefight  of  fome  Men,  is  fummoned  in 
to  ferve  their  bodies^  and  fecure  their  flelhy  enjoy- 
ments. 


REFLECTION. 


Lord  !  how  doth  the  care,  wifdom,  and  vigilancy 
of  Men  in  temporal  and  external  things,  condemn 
my  carelefneis  in  the  deep  and  dear  concernments 
of  my  precious  Soul  !  What  care  and  labour  is 
there  to  fecure  a  perifhing  life,  liberty,  or  treafure  \ 
When  was  I  thus  folicitous  for  my  foul,  though 
its  value  be  inestimable,  and  its  dangers  far  greater  ? 
Self-preftrvation  is  one  of  the  deeped  principles  in 
nature.  There  is  not  the  pooreft  worm  or  flie, 
but  will  fhun  danger  if  it  can  :  Yet  I  am  fo  far 
from  fhunning  thole  dangers  to  which  my  foul  lies 
continually  expofed,  that  I  often  run  it  upon  tern- 
tations,  and  voluntarily  expofe,  it  to  its  enemies* 
I  fee,  Lord;  how  watchful,  jealous  and  laborious 
thy  people  are,  what  Prayers,  tears,  and  groans, 
iearchirig  of  heart,  mortification  of  lufts,  guarding 
of  femes  :  and  all  accounted  too  little  by  them. 
Have  not  I  a  foul  to  lave  or  lofe  eternally,  as  well 
as  they  ?  Yet  I  cannot  deny  one  •  flefhly  luft,  nor 
withttand  one  temptation.  .  O,  how  am  I  con- 
vinced, and  condemned  ;  not  only  by  others  care 
and  vigilancy,  but  my  own  too,  in  lefler  and  lower 
matters  ;< 


48  A  New  Compqfs  for  Seamed 


THE    POEM. 

"  I  am  the  (hip,  whofe  bills  of  lading  come 
"  To  more  than  mans  or  angels  art  can  fum. 
"  Rich  fraught  with  mercies,  on  the  Ocean  now, 
*«  I  float,  the  dangerous  ocean  I  do  plow, 
•'  Storms  rife,  Rocks  threaten,  and  in  every  creek 
•'  Pirates  and  Pickeroens  their  prizes  feek. 
**  My  foul  fhould  watch,  look  out,  and  ufeits  glafr, 
*'  Prevent  furprizals  timely  ;  but  alas  ! 
"  Temptations  give  it  chafe,  it's  grappled  fure, 
"  And  boarded  whilft  it  thinks  it  felf  fecure. 
"  It  fleeps  like  Jcnah>  in  the  dreadfuTft  rtorm, 
M  Although  its  cafe  be  dangerous  and  forlorn. 
"  Lord,  rouze  my  drowfie  Soul,  left  it  ihould  knock 
«  And  fplit  itfelf  upon  fome  dangerous  Rock. 
•*  If  it  of  Faith  and  confeience  fhipwrack  make, 
"  I  am  undone  for  ever  :  foul  awake  ! 
w  Till  thou  arrive  in  heaven,  watch  and  fear  ; 
is  Thou  may  ft  not  fay  till  then,  the  coaft  is  clear.'* 


CHAP.     VI. 

Hozv  fmall  a  matter  funis  a  Jhip  about  ? 
Yet  we  againft  our  conjeience ft  and  it  out, 

OBSERVATION. 

IT  is  juft  matter  of  admiration,  to  fee  to  great  a 
body  as  a  (hip  is,  and  when  under  fail  too,  be- 
fore a  freQi  and  ftrong  wind,  by  which  it  is  carried 


)r   Navigation   Spiritualized.  49 

as  the  clouds,  with  marvellous  force  and  fpeed,  yet 
to  be  commanded  with  eaie,  by  fo  fmall  a  thing  as 
the  Helm  is.  The  fcripture  takes  notice  of  it  as  a 
matter  worthy  our  confederation,  Jan.  iii.  4.  "Be* 
hold  alfo  the  (hips,  which  though  they  be  great," 
and  driven  of  fierce  winds  ;  yet  they  are  turned  a* 
bout  with  a  fmall  helm,  whitherfoever  the  Gover- 
nor lifteth."  Yea,  Arijlotle  himfetf 
Ariitot.  Sccunfa.  t}iat  Eagle  ey'd  philoiopher,  could 
Mecankon,  c.  5.  not  g?  ve  a  reafon  of  it,  but  looked 
upon  it  as  a  very  marvellous  and  wonderful 
thing, 

APPLICATION. 

To  the  fame,  ufe  and  office  has  God  defigned 
confeience  in 'man,  which  being  rectified  and  regu- 
lated by  the  word  and  fpirit  cf  G6d>  is  to  fleet  and 
order  his  whole  converfation.  Conference  is  as  th^ 
oracle  of  God,  the  judge  and  determiner  of  our  ac- 
tions, whether  they  be  good  or  evil  ?  And  it  lays 
the  ftrongefl  obligations  upon  trie  creature  to  obey 
its  dictates,  that  is  imaginable  :  for  it  binds  under 
the  reafon  and  confideration  of  the  moft  abfolute 
and  fovereign  will'of  the  great  God.  So  that  as 
often  as  conlcience  from  the  word  cooviuceth  us  of 
any  fm  or  duty,  it  lays  fuch  a  "bond  upon  us  to  obey 
it,  as  no  power  under  heaven  can  relax  or  difpenfe 
with.  Angels  cannot  do  it,  much  lefs  man  ;  for 
that  would  be  to  exalt  themfe'lve's  above  God. 
Now  therefore  it  is  an  high  and  dreadful  way  of 
(inning;  to  oppofe  and  rebel  againft  confeience^ 
when  n  convinces  cf  fei  and  duty.  Confeience 
fome'times  reafon:;  it  out  with  with  men,  and  (hews 
them  the  neceffity  of  changing  their  way  and  courfe  ; 
argu*ng  it  from  the  cleared  and  moft  allowed  max- 
G 


co  A  Nezv  Cornpafs  for  Seamen 

1 
ims  of  right  reafqri,  as  well  as  from  the  indifpu table 
iovereigntv  of  God. 

As  t^r  inftance  :  it  convinceth  their  very  reafon. 
that  things  of  eternal  duration  are  infinitely  to  be 
prefered  to  all  momentary  and  perifhing  things; 
Rom.  viii.  18.  Heb.  xi.  26.  And  it  is  our  duty  to 
chufe  them,  and  make  all  fecular  and  temporary 
concernments  to  ilarid  afide,  and  give  place  to  them. 
Yet  though  men  be  convinced  of  this,  their  ftub- 
born  will  (lands  out,  and  will  hot  yield  up  itfelf  to 
the  conviction. 

Further,  It  argues  from  this  acknowledged  truth, 
that  all  the  delight  and  pleafures  in    this  world  are 
but  a  miferabie   portion,  and  that  it  is  the    highell 
folly  to  adventure  an  immortal  ibul  for  them,  Luke 
ix.  15.     Alas  !  what  '  rememberance    is   there   of 
them  in  hell  ?  They  are   as  the  waters  that  pals  a* 
way.     What  have  they  left,  of  all  their  mirth  and 
jollity,  but  a  tormenting  fling  ?Tt  convinceth  them 
clearly,  alfo,  that  in  matters  of  deep   concernment 
it  is  an  high   point  of  v/ifdom,  to   apprehend   and 
improve  the  right  feafons  and  opportunities  of  them. 
Prov.  x.  5.-     "  He  that  gathers  in  dimmer  is  a  wife 
f:n."  Eccief.  viii.  5.     ""A   wife   man  s  heart  dif- 
cerns  both  time  and  judgment.     "  There  is  a  fea- 
fon  to  every  purpofe,"  Eccief.  iii.  1.  viz.  a  nick  of 
time,  an  happy  juncture;  when,  if  a  man  ftrikes  in, 
he  doth  liis  work  effectually;  and  with  much  faciii- 
tv  :  fuch  feafons  conference  convinceth  the  ibul  of, 
and  often  whilpers  thus  in  its  ear  :  Now,  foulflrike 
in,  ckjfe  with  this  motion  of  the  fpirit,  and  be  hap- 
py forever  ;  thou  rhayeft   never  have    fuch.  a  gale 
lor  heaven    any  more.     Now,  though  theft    be  al- 
lowed   maxims  of   reafon,  and  conleience  enforce 
them  ftrongly  on  the  fcul,   yet  cannot  it    prevail  ; 
the  proud,  itubborn    will   rebels,   and  will  not    fee 


Or,   Navigation  Spiritualized,  51 

guided   by   it.     See    Eph.  ii,  3.    Job  xxxiv.   37. 
Ifa.  xlvi.  12.  Ezek.ii,  4.     Jer.  xliv.  16. 

REFLECTION. 

Ah  !  Lord,  fuch  an  heart  have  I  had  before  thee  5 
thus  obftinate,  thus  rebellious,  fo  uncontrollable  by 
confeience.  Many  a  time  hath  conference  thus 
whifpered  in  mine  ear,  many  a  time  hath  it  flood 
in  my  waya  as  the  angel  did  in  Balaam's,  or  the 
cherubims  that  kept  the  way  of  the  tree  of  life  with 
flaming  fwords  turning  every  way.  Thus  hath  it 
flood  to  oppofe  me  in  the  way  of  my  lufts.  How 
often  hath  it  calmly  debated  the  cafe  with  me  alone  ? 
and  how  fweetly  hath  it  expoflulated  with  me? 
How  clearly  hath  it  convinced  of  fin,  danger,  duty, 
with  ftrong  demonftration  ?  How  terrible  hath  it 
men?ced  my  foul,  and  fet  the  point  of  the  threate- 
ning at  my  very  bread  ?  And  yet  my  head-ftrong 
affections' will'  not  be  remanded  by  it.  I  have 
obeyed  the  voice  of  every  ltift  and;  temptation,  Tit. 
iii.  3.  but  confeience  hath  loft  its  authority  with 
me.  Ah  Lord  !  what  a  fad  condition  am  I  in,. 
both  in  refpecl  of  fin  and  milery  !  My  fin  receives 
dreadful  aggravations,  for  rebellion  and  prefump- 
tion  are  hereby  added  to  it.  I  have  violated  the 
flrongeft  bonds  that  ever  were  laid  upon  a  creature.. 
If  my  confeience  had  not  thus  convinced  and  warn-. 
ed,  the  (in  had  not  heen  fo  great  and  crimfon-. 
coloured,  Jam.  iv.  17.  Ah  !  this  is  to  fin  with  an 
high  hand,  Numb.  xv.  30.  To  come  near  to  the- 
great  and  unpardonable  tranfgreflion,  Pfalm  xix. 
13.  O  how  dreadful  a  way  ot  finning  is  this,  with 
opened  eyes  !  and  as  my  fin  is  thus  out  of  meafure 
finful,  fo  my  punifhment  will  be  out  of  meafure 
dreadful,  if  I  perfifl  in  this  rebellion.  Lord  1  thou- 
haft  faid,  Such  fhall  be  beaten  with  many  ftripes,. 


$z  A  Nm  Compafs  for  Seaman 

Luke  xiL  48.  Yea,  Lord,  and  if  ever  my  conference* 
which  by  rebellion  is  now  grown  filent,  mould  be 
be  in  judgment  awakened  in  this  life  ;  O  I  what 
an  hell  mould  I  have  within  me  !  how  would  it 
thunder  and  roar  upon  me,  and  furround  me  with 
terrors  ? 

Thy  word  alTuresme,  that  no  length  of  time  can 
wear  out  of  its  memory  what  I  have  done,  Gen. 
xlii.  21.  No  violence  or  force  can  fupprefs  it,  Mat. 
xxvii.  4,  No  greatnefs  of  power  can  ftifle  it;  it  will 
take  the  mightieft  monarch  by  the  throat,  Exod. 
x  16.  Dan.  v.  6,  No  mufick,  pleafures,  or  delights, 
can  charm  it  Job  xx.  22.  O  confcience  !  thou  art 
the  fweeteft  friend,  or  the  dreadfuleft  enemy  in  the 
World  ;  Thy  confolations  are  incomparably  fweet 
and  thy  terrours  infupportable.  Ah  let  me  ftand  it 
out  no  longer  againft  confcience  ;  the  very  fhip  in 
which  I  fail,  is  a  confutation  of  my  madnefs,  that 
rufh  greedily  into  fin  againft  <both  Reafon  and  con- 
fcience, and  will  not  be  commanded  by  it;  Surely 
0  my  Soul,  this  will  be  bitterneis  in  the  end. 


THE    POEM. 

«•  A  fhip  &£  grsateft  burden  will  obey 

«  The  rudder  j  he  that  fits  at  helm  may  fway 

«*  And  guide  its  motion  :  If  the  pilot  pleafe, 

i{  The  fhip  bears  up  againft  both  Wind  and  ft  as, 

l<  My  foul's  the  /hip,  afFedions,  arc  its  fails, 

*{  Confcience  the  rudder.     Ah  !  but  Lord  what  ails 

"  My  naughty  heart,  to  fluiffie  in  and  out, 

cc  When  Its  convictions  bid  it  tack  about  ? 

"  Temptations  blow  a  countcr-blaft,  and  drive 


Or  Navigation  Spiritualized*  53 

*t  The  veffel  where  they  pleafe,  tho*  confciencc  ftrlvc. 

««  And  by  its  ftrong  perfwafions  it  would  force 

*l  My  ftub'oorn  will  to  (leer  another  courfe. 

««  Lord,  if  I  run  this  courfe,  thy  Word  doth  tell 

««  How  quickly  I  muft  needs  arrive  at  Hell. 

<«  Then  rectify  my  confcience,  change  my  will ; 

*<  Fan  in  thy  pleafant  Gales,  my  God,  and  fill 

«  All  my  afte£l:ions  j  and   let  nothing  carry 

W  My  foul  from  its  due  courfe  or  make  it  vary  j 

"  Then  if  the  Pilot's  work  thou  wouldft  perform, 

ft  I  mould  bear  bravely  up  againft  a  ftorm. 


CHAP.     VII. 

Through  many  fears  and  dangers  Sea-men  rtm% 
Yet  alts  forgotten  when  they  do  return. 

OBSERVATION. 

WE  have  an  elegsnt  and  lively  defcription  of 
their  fears  and  dangers,  Pfal.  cyii,  25,  26, 
27. tC  He  commandeth  and  raifeth  the  ftormy  winds 
which  lifteth  up  the  waves  thereof :  They  mount 
up  to  heaven,  they  go  down  again  to  the  depths  ; 
their  foui  is  melted  becaufe  of  trouble,  they  reel  to 
and  fro,  they  (tagger  like  a  drunken  man  ;  they  are 
at  their  wits  end."  Or,  as  it  is  in  the  Hebrew,  All 
wifdom  is  Jw allowed  up.  Suitable  to  which  is  that 
of  the  poet. 

Rector  in  incerto  eft,  nee  quid  fugiatave  pettve 
Invenit,  ambiguis  ars  flupet  ipfa  malis  Ovid. 

The  Pilot  knows  not  what  to  chute  or  flee, 
Art  Hands  amaz'd  in  ambiguity. 


\  A  New   Compdp  for  Seamen 

O  what  a  Arrange  and  miraculous  deliverance 
have  many  Teamen  had  ;  How  often  have  they 
yielded  themfeives  for  dead  men,  and  verily  thought 
the  next  fea  would  have  fwailowed  them  up  ? 
How  earneftly  then  do  they  cry  for  mercy,  and 
like  the  Qymbrians,  can  pray  in  a  ftorm,  though 
they  regarded  it  not  at  other  times,  Pfal.  cvii,  28. 
Jam,  i.  5,  6. 

APPLICATION* 


Thefe  dreadful  florms  do  at  once  difcover  to  us 
the  mighty  power  of  God  in  raifing  them,  and  the 
abundant  goodnefs  of  God  in  preferving  poorcrea-- 
tures  in  them. 

1  ft.  The  power  of  God  is  gracioufly  manifefted 
in  railing  them  :  The  wind  is  one  of  the  Lord's 
wonders,  Pfal.  cvii,  23,  24.  "  They  that  go  down 
to  the  fea,  fee  the  works  of  the  Lord,  and  his  (wond- 
ers) in  the  deep  :  for  he  commandeth  and  raifeth 
the  ftormy  winds."  Yea,  Pfal.  exjvii.  18.  God 
appropriates  it  as  a  peculiar  work  of  his  ;  He  can/-? 
eth  {fits  winds  to  blow  )  Hence,  He  is  faid  in 
fcripture,  to  bring  ihem  forth  of.  his  treafury,  Job 
xxxviii.  22.  There  they  are  locked  up  and  referv- 
ed,  not  a  guft  car:  break  forth  till  he  command  and 
call  for  it  to,go  and'execute  his  pleafure:  Yea,  He 
is  faid  to  hold  them  in  his  fift,  Prov.  xxx.  4. 
What  is  more  uncapablc  of  holding  than  the  wind  $ 
yet  God  holds  it,  Although  it  be  a  ftrong  and  ter- 
rible creature,  He  controuls  and  rules  it.  Yeat  the 
fcripture  lets  forth  God,  "  As  riding  upon  the 
wings  of  the  wind,"  Pfalm.  xviii.  10.  It  is  a  bor- 
rowed fpeech  from  the  manner  of  men,  when  they 
would  mew  their  pomp   and  great nefs,  ride  upon 


Ory  Navigation  Spiritualized.  53 

ibme  ftately  horfe  or  chariot :  fo  the  Lord  to  man- 
ifeft  the  greatnefs  of  his  power,  rides  upon  the 
wings  of  the  wind,  and  will  be  admired  info  terri- 
ble a  creature. 

And  no  lefs  of  his  glorious  power  appears  in  re- 
manding them,  than  in  raifing  them.  The  heath- 
ens afcribe  this  power  to  their  god  Aeolus  ;  but  we 
know  this  is  the  Royalty  and  fole  Prerogative  of  the 
true  God,  who  made  heaven  and  earth  ;  it  is  he 
that  makes  the  ft  or  m  d  cdlmy  Pfal.  evil.  29.  And  it 
is  He  that  Ihitts  and  changes  them  from  point  td 
point  as  he  pleafeth  ;  for  he  hath  appointed  them 
their  circuits,  Ecclef.  i.  6.  "  The  wind  goeth  to- 
wards the  fouth,  and  turneth  about  unto  the  north; 
it  whirleth  about  continually^  and  returneth  again 
according  to  his  circuits. 

2d.  And  as  we  mould  adore  his  power  in  the 
winds,  fo  ought  we  to  admire  his  Goodnefs  in  pre^ 
ferving  men  in  the  height  of  all  their  fury  and  vio- 
lence. O  what  a  marvellous  work  of  God  is  here  1 
That  men  mould  be  kept  in  a  poor  weak  vefTel, 
upon  the  wide  and  ftormy  ocean,  where  the  wind 
hath  its  full  ftroke  upon  them,  and  they  are  driven 
before  it  as  a  wreck  upon  the  feas  ;  yet,  I  fay,  that 
God  mould  preferve  you  there,  is  a  work  of  infinite 
goodnels  and  power,  thar*thofe  winds  which  do 
rend  the  very  earth,  mountains  and  rocks,  1  Kings 
xix.  11.  "  Breaks  the  cedars,  yea,  the  cedars  of 
Lebanon,  fhakes  the  wildernefsnnd  makes  the  hinds 
to- calve  :"  which  Katuralifts  fay,  bring  forth  with 
greateft  difficulty,  Pfal.  xxix.  5,  8,  9.  Surely  your 
prelervation  in  fuch  tempefTs,  is  an  aftonilhingwork 
of  mercy.  0  how  dreadful  is  this  creature,  the 
wind,  fome times  to  you  ?  And  how  doth  it  make 
your  hearts  fhake  within  you  ;  If  but  a  plank 
ipring,  or  bolt  give  wav,  you  are  all   loft.     Some- 


5  6  A  Nezv   Compajs  for  Seamen 

times  the  Lord  for  the  magnifying  of  the  riches  of 
his  goodnefs  upon  you,  drives  you  to  fu'ch  exigen- 
cies, that  as  Paul  {peaks  in  a  like  cafe,  Ads  xxvii. 
20.  AH  hope  of  being  javed  is  taken  azvay  ;  Noth- 
ing but  death  before  your  eyes.  The  Lord  com- 
mands a  wind  out  of  his  treafury,  bids  it  go  and  lilt 
up  the  terrible  waves  ;  lock  you  in  upon  the  fhore, 
and  drive  you  upon  the  rocks,  fo  that  no  art  can 
fave  you  ;  and  then  fends  you  a  piece  of  wreck,  or 
fome  other  means  to  land  you  fate  :  And  all  this  to 
give  you  an  experiment  of  his  goodnefs  and  pity, 
that  you  may  learn  to  fear  that  God,  in  whofe  hand 
your  loul  and  breath  is. 

And  it  may  be  for  the  prefent,  that  your  hearts  are 
much  affected  ;  confcience  works  ftrongly,  it  (mites 
you  for  fms  formerly  committed,  fuch  counfels  of 
minifters  or  relations  flighted.  Now,  faith  con- 
fcience, God  is  come  in  this  florm  to  reckon  with 
thee  for  thefe- things.  But  alas,  all  this  is  but  a 
morning  dew';  "no  fooner  is  that  florm  without  al- 
layed, but  all  is  quiet  within  too.  How  little  of 
the  goodnefs  of  God  abides  kindly  and  effectually 
upon  the  heart  ? 

REFLECTION. 

How  often  hath  this  glorious  power  and  good* 
fiefs  of  God  pafied  before  me  in  dreadful  f tormi 
and  tempefts  at  fea  ?  He  hath  uttered  his  voice  in 
thofe  ftormy  winds,  and  fpoken  in  a  terrible  manner 
by  them  ,  yet  how  little  have  1  been  affected  with 
it?  "  The  Lord  hath  his  way  in  the  whirlwind, 
and  in  the  florm,"  Nah.  i.  3.  To  fome  he  hath 
walked  in  ways  of  Judgment  and  wrath,  fending 
them  down  in  a  moment  to  hell  ;  but  to  me  in  a 
way  of  forbearance  and  mercy.  Ah,  how  oftert 
have  I  been  upon  llie  very  brink  of  eternity  ?■  had 


Or    Navigation  Spiritndlizeti.  $j 

hot  God  fhifted  or  a! ayed  the  wind,  in  a  moment* 
I  had  gone  down  into  hell.  What  workings  of 
confidence  weFe  at  prtient  upon  rhe  ?  And  what 
terrible  appreherifions  had  I  then  of  my  eternal  con* 
dition  ?  What,  vows  did  I  make  in  that  diflrefs  ? 
and  how  earneftly  did  I  then  beg  for  mercy  ?  but 
Lord,  though  thy  vows  are  upon  me,  yet  have  I 
been  the  fame  $  yea  added  to,  and  filkd  up  the 
meafure  of  my  fills*  Neither  the  bonds  of  mercy 
thou  haft  laid  upon  me,  nor  the  (acred  and  folemn 
vows  lb  ve  laid  upon  myfelf,  could  reft  rain  me  from 
th'ofe  ways  or  iniquity,  Which  then  appeared  io 
dreadful  to  me. 

Ah  Lord,  what  an  heart  have  I  ?  What  love, 
pity,  and  goo'dnefs  have  I  finned  againft  ?  If  God 
had  but  reipited  judgment  To  long  what  a  mercv 
were  it  !  Sure  1  am,  the  damned  would  account  it 
fo ;  but  to  give  me  fuch  a  fpace  to  repent,  Ah  what 
an  invaluable  mercy  is  this  j  And  do  J  thus  requite 
thQ  Lord  Dcut.  xxxii.  6.  and  pervert  arid  abu'e  his 
goodneis  thus  ?  Surely,  t>  my  foul,  if  this  be  the 
fruit  of  all  thy  prefervations,  they  are  rather  referv- 
ations  to  fome  further  and  fprer  judgments.  How 
dreadfully  will  juftice  at  lad:  avenge  the  Quarrel  of 
abufed  Mercy  ?  Jofh.  xxiv.  20.  How  grievoufly 
did  God  take  it  from  the  Ifrdektes,  that  they  pro- 
voked hirh  at  the  Sea,  even  at  the  red  Sea  ?  Pfal. 
cvi.  y,  where  God  had  wrought  their  deliverance  in 
fuch  a  miraculous  way.  Even  thus  have  I  finned 
after  the  fimilitude  oi  their  tranfgreffions  ;  not  on  < 
ly  againft  the  Lawsxtf  God,  but  againft  the  Love 
of  God.  In  thelafl  dorm  he  fhot  off  his  Horn* 
trig-piece;,  in  the  next,  he  may  difcharge  his  Mur- 
derwg-prece  againft  my  foul  and  body.  O  my  foul  « 
hath  he  given  thee  «*fuch  deliverancesas  thefe,  and 
oareft  thou  again  break  his  comma  ndrr.ents  Ezra, 
H 


$"6  A  New  Compafs  for  Seamen 

x.  13,  14.  «  O  let  me  pay  the  vows  that  my 
ips  have  uitered  in  my  diftrefs,  left  the  Lord  re'- 
:over  his  gioiy  iiom   me  in  a  way  of  judgment/' 


THE    POEM. 


•<  The  mip  that  now  fails  trim  before  a  windj 
'«  E're  the  delired  ports  it  gains,  may  find 
**  A  tedious  pafTige  :  Gentle  Gales  a  while 
"  Do  fill  its  fails,  the  flattering  feas  do  fmile, 
f*  The  Face   or  Heaven  is  bright,  on  every  fids 
'«  The  wanton  Pcrpokc  tumbles  on  the  Tide. 
«'  Into  their  cabins  now  the  Seamen  go, 
*'  And  then  turn  out  again,  with,  What  cbtar  hi  t 
<*  All  ou  a  fudden  darkened  are  the  ikies, 
'«  The  lamp  of  heaven  obfcur'd,  the  winds  do  rife  ; 
*<  Waves  fwelllike  mountains  :  now  their  courage  P.Ag* 
"  The  marts  are  crackt,  the  canvas  torn  to  rags. 
"  The  veflel  works  for  life  j   an.on  one  cries, 
*<   The  main  maji" $  gone  by  th%  Board  ;  another  plies 
«<  The  pump,  until  a  third  do  ftrike  them  blank 
tc  With  Sirsy  prepare  for  death  wc  have  fprung  a  phr- 
«*  Now  to  th^ir  knees  they  go,  and  on  this  wife 
"  They  beg  for  mercy  with  their  loudelt  cries  : 
*'  Lord,  five  us  but  this  once,  a:id  thou  malt  fee 
■«  What  Perfons  for  the  future  we  will  be  : 
<c  Our  former  time's  mif-fpent,  but  <vith  a  vow, 
«  We  will  engage,  if  thou  will  five  us  now 
"  To  mend  what  is  amifs.     The  gracious  Lord 
«  Inclined  to  pity,  takes  them  at  their  word  ; 
««  The  winds  into  their  treasures  he  doth  call, 
"  Rebukes  the  ftormy  fea,  and  brings  them  all 
"  To  their  defired  Haren  :  once  afhure, 
"  And  then  their  Vow«  are  ne'er  remembered  mo:.*. 


Or    Navigation  Spriiuahzed*  ^ 


•  <f  Thus  foul's  are  fliipwracltt,  tho1  the  bodies  live, 
f*  Unltfs  in  time  thou  true  Repentance  give. 


C    H    A    P.    VIII. 


The  navigator  Jhit 'is  his  fails y  to  take, 

All  winds  >  but  that  which  for  his  foul  doth  make, 


OBSERVATION. 

THE  mariner  wants  no  (kill  and  wifdom  to 
improve  leveral  winds,  and  make  them  fer- 
Viceable  to  his  end  ;  a  bare  fide-wind,  by  his  ikill 
in  fhifting  and  managing  the  fails,  will  ferve  his 
turn  :  He  will  not  lofe  the  advantage  of  one  breath 
or  gale  that  may  be  ufeful  to  him,  I  have  many 
times  wondered  to  fee  two  (hips  failing  in  a  diredi 
counter  motion,  by  one  and  the  lame  wind.  Their 
ikill  and  wifdom  herein  is  admirable. 


APPLICATION. 

Thus  prudent  and  fkilful  are  men  in  fecular  and 
lower  matters,  and  yet  how  ignorant  and  unfkilful 
in  the  great  and  everlafting  affairs  of  their  fouls  i 
Ail  their  invention,  judgement,  wit,  and  memory 
fecm  to  be  preiled  for  the  fervice  of  the  fleili.  They 
can  learn  an  art  quickly,  aed  arrive  to  a  great  deal 


6g  A  New  Compa/s  for  Seamen 

pi  exact  nefs  in  it  ;  but  in  foul -matters,  no'  know- 
!edn;e  at  all.  They  can  underfiand  the  Equator, 
Meidtan  and  Horizon  :  By  the  nrft  they  ean  tell. 
t'.e  latitude  of  any  place,  South  or  'Morth,  meafur.,. 
fag  it  by  the  degrees  in  the  Meridian;  by  the  iecond 
they  con  tell  you  the  long  tude  of  a  place,  eaft  and 
weft,  from  the  Meridian,  meafuring  it  by  the  de- 
grees of  the  Equator  :  And  by  the  third,  they 
can  difcern  the  the  divers  rifings  andfettings  of  the 
Stars.  And  lb  in  other  Arts  and  fciences.  we  find 
men  endowed  with  rare  abilities,  and  fingul  x 
fagacrty.  Some  have  piercing  apprehenfions, 
folid  judgments,  ftupendous,  memories,  nrc 
Invention,  and  excellent  elocution  :  But  put  then\ 
Upon  any  ipiwtual  fupernafural  matter,  and  the 
Weakeft  chriftian,  even  a  babe  in  Chrift,  (hall 
excel  them  therein,  and  give  a  far  bet- 
ter account  of  Regeneration,  the  work  of  grace,  the 
Life  of  Faith  than  thefe  can.*  i.  Cor.  i.  26.  u  Not 
many  wile  men  after  the  flefn.  &c.  But  God  hath 
chofen  the  fcolifli  things  of  this  world,  &c/* 

REFLECTION. 

How  inexcu  fable  then  art  thou,  O  my  Soul  !  and: 
how  mute  and  confounded  muft  thou  needs  ftand 
before  the  bar  of  God,  in  that  great  day  ?  Thou 
Judft  a  Ta'euf'oi  natural  parts  committed  to  thee, 
but  which  way  have  they  Leen  imp;oved  ?  I  had  an 
understanding  indeed,  but  it  was  not  fanctified  ;a 
Memory,  but  it  was  like  a  Sieve,  that  let  go  the 
corn,  and  reuin'd  nothing  but  hufks  and  chaff;  Wit 
aril  invention,  but  alas  none  to  do  myfelfgood. 
Ah  Ihow  will  Khefe  rife  in  judgment  againft  me,  and 
flop  my  mouth  ?  What  account  (hall  I  give  for 
them  in  that  day  ? 


Or  Navigation   Spiritualized.  Gx 

Again  :  are  men  (  otherwifc  prudent  and  ikillful) 
fuch  Tots  and  fools  in  fpiritual  things  ?  Then  let 
the  poor  weak  Chriftian,  whofe  natural  parts  are 
blunt  and  dull,  admire  the  riches  of  God's  free 
grace  to  him.  O  What  an  aftoniming  confederation 
is  tliis  ?  xhat  God  Ihould  pafs  by  men  of  the  pro- 
ioundeft  natural  parts,  and  chufe  me,  even  poor  me, 
whofe  natural  faculties  and  endowments  com- 
pared with  their$,  are  but  as  Lead  to  Gold  !  Thus 
under  the  law  he  pal!  by  the  Lion  and  the  eagle, 
and  chofe  the  Lamb  and  Dove.  O,  how  mould  it 
.make  me  to  advance  Grace,  as  Chrift  doth  upon 
the  fame  account,  Mat.  xi.  25.  *'  I  thank  thee, 
Father,  Lord  of  Heaven  and  Earth,  that  thou  haft- 
hid  thefe  things  from  the  wife. and  prudent,  and  re- 
vealed them  unto  babes."  And  let  it  ever  be  an, 
humbling  consideration  to  me ;  For  who  made  me 
to  differ  ?  Is  not  this  one  principal  thing  God  aims 
at,  in  calling  fuch  as  I  am  ;  that  boafling  may  be 
^eluded,  and  himfelf  alone  exalted  ? 

T  H  E    P  O  E  M. 

««  One  thing  doth  very  much  affect  my  mind, 
•*  Tp  fee  the  Sea  men  husband  every  wind  $ 
«<  With  excellent  art  he  (tufts  the  fails  and  knows 
*«  How  to  improve  the  faired  Wind  that  blows, 
*<  If  a  dirett  or  fore-right  gale  he  want, 
«  A  fide  wind  ferves  his  turn,  tho'  ne'r  fo  fcant, 
««  And  will  not  this  one  day  in  judgment  rife 
"  Againft  your  fouls  ?  Ah  !  can  you  be  fo  wife 
«'  In  fmaller  matters  }  what,  and  yet  not  know 
'«  How  to  Improve  frefli  gales  of  grace  that  blow  ? 
"  Faft  moor'd  in  fin  your  wind-bound  Souls  can  lie, 
*'  And  let  thefe  precious  gales,  rife,  blow,  and  die. 


$*  4;  New  Gcmpafs.for  Semen 

"  Sometimes  on  you:  afoaions.  you^may  feel 

M  Such  gracious  breathings.  :Ah,but  hearts  of  ftccl, 

41  They  move  you  not,  nor  caufe  you  to  relent, 

"  Though  able,  like  E!:jjc*s  wind,  to  rent 

««  The  Rocks  af ,nder  s  If  you  do  not  prize 

««  Thote  breathings,  other  winds  w|U  shortly  rife, 

'.«  And  from  another  quarter  j  thofe  once  gone, 

".The  next  look  out  for  an  Euroclydont 

«'.A  dreadful  ftorm  :  how  foon  no  man  can  tell  j 

<l  But  when  ic  ccipcs 'twill  blow  fuch  fouls  to  hell." 


'i   "j     'j 


C    H    A    P.    IX 


If  Sea-men  lofe  a  gn-Je,  there  they  may  lie  : 
The  Soul  when  crnce  becalnid^  in  Jin  may  die.- 


OBSERVATION. 

SEA-MEN  are  very  watchful  to  take  their  op- 
portunity of  wind  and  tide  ;  and  it  much  con- 
cerns them  (o  to  be  :  The  negled  of  a  tew  hours, 
fometimes  lofes  them  their  palftge,  and  proves  a 
great  detriment  to  them.  They  know  the  wind 
is  an  uncertain  variable  thing?  they  rauft  take  it 
when  they  may  ;  they  are  unwilling  to  lopfe  one 
flow,  or  breath  that  may  be  ferviceable  to  them. 
If  a  profperous  gale  offers,  and  they  not  ready,  it 
repents  them  to  lole  it,  as  much  as  it  would  repent 
us  to  fee  a  veflel  oi  good  wine  or  Beer  tapt  and 
run  to  wade. 


Or   Navigation  Spiritualized.  63 


APPLICATION. 


There  are  alio  feafons  and  gales  of  grace  for  our 
fouls  i  golden  opportunities  of  falvation  afforded  to 
men,  the  neglect  of  which  proves  the  lofs  and  ruin 
of  fouls.  God  hath  given  unto  men  a  day  of  vi- 
fitation,  which  he  hath  limited,  Heb.  iv.  j*  and 
keeps  an  exact  account  of  every  year,  month  and 
day,  that  we.  have  enjoyed  it,  Luke  xiii.  7.  Jen 
xxv.  3.-  Luke  xix.  42.  The  longed  date  of  it  can 
be  but  the  time  of  this  life  :  This  is  our  day  to 
work  in,  John  ix.  4.  and  upon  this  frnall  wire,  the 
weight  of  eternity  hangs.  But  fometimes  the  fea^ 
fon  of  grace  is  ended  before  the  night  of  death 
eomes  ;  the  accepted  time  is  gone,  men  frequently 
out  Jive  it,  Luke  xix.  44.  2.  Cor.  vi.  2.  Or, 
if  the  outward  means  of  falvation  be  continued, 
yet  the  fpirit  many  times  withdraws  from  thofe 
means,  and  ceafes  any  more  to  drive  with  men ;  and 
then  the  bleffing,  power  and  efficacy  is  gone  from 
them,  and  indead  thereof  a  curfe  feizeth  the  foul, 
Heb.  vi.  7.8.  and  Jer.  vL  30. 

Therefore  it  is  a  matter  of  high  importance  to 
our  fouls,  to  apprehend  thefe  feafons.  How  pathe* 
ticaiiy  doth  Chrift  bewail  Jeru/a/em,  upon  this  ac- 
count !  Luke  xix.  42.  O  that  thou  half  known  at 
leaf  in  this  thv  day,  the  things  of  thy  peace  !  but  now 
they  are  hid  from  thine  eyes.  If  a- company  of  Sea-* 
men  be  fet  a-fhore  upon  fome  remote,  uninhabited 
Jfland,  with  this  advice,  to  be  aboard  again  exactly 
at  fuch  an  hour,  elfe  they  mud  be  left  behind  : 
how  doth  it  concern  them  to  be  punctual  to  their 


64  Jt  New  Ccmpafs  for  Seamen 

time  ?  The  lives  of  thofe  men  depend  upon  a 
quarter  of  an  hour.  Many  a  foul  hath  perifhed  e- 
ternally  (the  Gofpel  leaving  "them  behind  in  their 
Fins)  becauie  they  knew  not  the  time  of  their  vifi- 
tation* 

R  E  T  L  E  C  T,I  0  K 

What  golden  feafbns  fof  felvation  haft  thou  en- 
joyed, O  my  foiil  ?  What  Halcyon-days  cf  gofpel- 
light  and  grace  haft  thou  had  ?  How  have  the  pre* 
cious  gales  of  grace  blown  to  no  purpoie  upon  thee  ! 
and  the  fpirit  waited  arid  driven  with  thee  in  vain  ? 
The  kingdom  of  heaven  (being  opened  in  the  gofpel- 
difpenfttions)  hnth  fuffered  violence.      Multitudes 
have  been  prefling  into  it  in  my  days,  and  I  rnyfelf 
have  fometimes  been  almoft  perfuaded,  and  not    far 
from  the  Kingdom  of  God  :    I  have  gone  as  far  as 
conviction  of  fin  and  mifery  :  yea,  I  have  been  car- 
ried by  the  power  of  .the  gofpel,  to  refolve  and 
purpoie  to  turn  to  God,    and  become  a  new  crea- 
ture ;  but  Tin  hath  been  too  fubtil  and  deceitful  for  1 
me  :  I  fee,  my  resolutions  were  but   as  an  early 
cloud,  br  morning  dew  ;  anc^  now  my  heart  is  cold 
and  dead  again,  fettled  upon  its  lees:     Ah  !  I  have 
caufe  to  fear  and  tremble,  left  God   hath  left  me 
under  that    curie,  Rev.  ft'xik  1  r.       Let  him  that  is 
filthy  be  fit  hy  fill.  I  fear  I  am  hecome  as  that  miry 
place,  Ezek.  xlvii.  it.  that  fhaii  not  be  healed  by 
the  dreams  of  the   Gofpel,    but  -given  to  Jalt,  and 
curfed  into  perpetual  bnrrenels.  Ah  Lord  wilt  thou 
leave  me  fo  !  and  (hall  thy  Ipirit  ftrive  no  more 
with  me?  Then  it  had  been  good  for  me  that  I  had 
never  been  born.    Ah,  if  1  have  trifled  out  this  fea- 
fon   and  irrecoverable  loft  it,  tbcji  I  may   take  up 


Or  Navigation  Sfmttmlized.  63 

that  lamentation,  Jer.  viii.  20,  and  lay,  My  harvefi 
is  pa/?,  my  fumwer  is  ended,  and  I  am  notfaved. 

Every  creature  knows  its  time,  even  the  Turtle, 
Vrane  and  Swa/Zow,  know  the  time  of  their  coming, 
Jer.  viii.  7.  How  brutifli  am  I,  that  have  not  known 
the  time  of  my  vifitation  !  O  thou  that  art  the 
Lord  or  life  and  time,  command  one  gia:ious  feafon 
more  for  me,  and  make  it  effectual  to  me,  before  I 
go  hence,  and  be  feen  no  mofe  ? 


THE    POEM 

"  A  frefh  and  whiftting  gale  prefents  to  day,    - 

5  But  now  the  fhlp's  not  ready  ;  winds  muft  iray, 

'■*  And  wait  the  fea»men*s  leifure.     Well,  to  morroVP 

'**■  They  will  put  out  j   but  then,  unto  their  forro\va 

*'  That  wind  is  fpent,  and  by  that  means  they  gaify 

*'  Perchance  a  mouth's  repentance,  if  not  twain. 

•"•  At  laft  another,  offers  now  they're  gone  ; 

**  But  e're  they  gain  their  port,  the  market's  done: 

ft  For  every  wcrlc  and  perpofc  under  heaven, 

*■  A  proper  time  and  feafch  Gpd  hath  given. 

**  The  fowls  of  heaven,  f wallow  turtle,  crane, 

M  Do  apprehend  it,  and  put  us  to  fhame. 

u  Man  hath  his  feafon  too  ;  but  that  mif-fpentj 

**  There's  time  enough  his  folly  to  repent. 

i*  Eternity's  before  him,  but  therein 

'**  \q  more  fuch  golden  hours  as  theft  have  been. 

u  When  thefe  art  pdft  awsy,  then  you  mall  find 

•*  That  Proverb  true,  rrce/fcaS  bald  behind. 

•'  DeJajj  are  danftraui  ;  f^e  that  you  difce~n 

■*  Your  proper  feafons.     O  that  you  would  learn 

'<  This  wifdomfrom  thofe  fools  that  come  too  late 

v«  With  frjiclefs  cries,  when  Chrift  has  ftttt  the  gate/ 


A.  Ndzv    Compajs  for  Seamen 


CHAP.      X. 

P>y  Navigation  cue  place  /lores  another  ; 
And  bj  communion  <uce  mail  help  each  ether. 

OBSERVATION. 


THE  mod  wife  God  hath  fo  difpenfed  his  boun- 
ty to  the  fevefal  nations  of  the  world,  that 
one  (landing  in  need  of  anothers  commodities, 
there  might  be  a  fociable  commerce  and  traffkk 
maintained  amongfl:  them  all,  and  all  combining  in 
a  common  league,  may  by  the  help  of  navigation, 
exhibit  mutual  fuccours  to  each  other.  The  fta- 
ple  commodities  proper  to  each  country,  I  find 
thus  expreiled  by  the  poet,  Bart.  Coll. 

Hence  comes  our  ftigars  from  Canary  iiles, 
-From  Candy  currents,  rriufkadels,  and  oyls  % 
From  the  Moluccoes,  (piles  ;  balfamum 

m  Egypt  5  odours  from  Arabia  come  ; 
From  India  gums,  rich  drugs  and  ivory  ; 
From  Syria  mummy  ;  black,  red  ebony 
Frotti  burning  Chui  ;  from  Peru,   pearl   and  gold  ; 
From  RuJJia  turs,  to  keep  the  rich  from  coid. 
From  Florence  filks ;  irom  Sprfin  fruit,  iaffron,  lacks ; 
From  Denmark  amber,  c'ofdage,  firs,  and  flax  ; 
•m  Holfandfabpt ;  horfe  irom  the  banks  bl ; Rhine  ; 
. ind  wool  :   ail  Lands,  as  God  diftributes 
the  world's  trealur'e  pay  their  fiandry  tributes. 


Or  Navigation  Spiritualized.  67 

APPLICATION. 


Thus  hath  God  diftribnted  the  more  rich  and 
precious  gifts  and  graces  of  his  fpiru  among  his 
people  :  Some  excelling  in  one  grace,  iome  in  ano- 
ther, tho'  every  grace,  in  fome  degree,  be  m  them, 
all  ;  even  as  in  Nature,  tho'  there  be  all  the  facul- 
ties in  all,  yet  fome  faculties  are  in  fome  more  lively 
and  vigorous  than  in  others  ;  fome  have  a  more 
vigorous  eye  others  a  more  ready  ear,  others  a  more 
voluble  tongue  ;  lb  it's  in  fnirituals,  Abraham  ex- 
ceh'd  in  Faith,  Job  in  patience,  John  in  love,  Thefc 
were  their  peculiar  excellencies.  All  the  elect  vei- 
feis  are  not  of  one  quantity;  yet  even  thofe  that 
excel  others  in  fome  particular  grace,  come  fhort  in 
other  refpects  of  thofe  they  lb  excelled  in  the  form- 
er, and  may  be  much  improv'd  by  converfe  with 
fuch  as  in  fome  refpects  are  much  below  them. 
The  folid,  wile,  and  judicious  chriftian  may  want 
that  livelinefs  of  affections,  and  tendernefs  of  heart, 
that  appears  in  the  weak  ;  and  one  that  excels  in 
gifts  and  utterance,  may  learn  humility  from  the 
very  babes  in  Chrift. 

And  one  principal  reafon  of  this  different  diftri- 
button,  is  to  maintain  fellowfhip  among  them  all, 
1  Cor.  xii.  21,  "  The  head  cannot  lay  to  the  feet 
1  have  no  need  of  you."  As  in  a  family,  where 
there  is  much  bufinei's  to  be  done,  even  the  little 
children  bear  a  part,  according  to  their  ftrength, 
Jer.  vii.  18:  "  The  children  gather  wood  the 
fathers  kindle  the  fire,  the  women  knead  the  dough." 
So  in  the  .family  of  Chrift,  the  weakeft  chriftian  i:> 
ierviceable  to  the  ftrong. 


6&  A  New  Compa/s  for  Seamen. 

There  be  precious  treafures  in  thefe  earthen  ve& 
fels,  for  which  w<*  fhould  trade  by  mutual,  commu- 
nion. The  precioufnefs  of  the  treafure,  mould 
dfaw  out  our  defires  and  endeavours  after  it  ;  and 
the  confideration.  of  the  brittlenels  of  thole  vefTels 
in  which  they  are  kept,  fhould  caufe  us  to  be  the 
more  expeditious  in  our  trading  with  them,  and 
make  the  quicker  returns  :  For  when  thofe  vetlels 
(I  mean  the  bodies  of  the  faints;  are  broken  by 
death,  there  is  no  more  to  be  gotten  out  of  them, 
That  treafure  of  grace  which  made  them  fuch  pro- 
fitable, pleafant,  and  defirable  companions  on  earth, 
then  afcends  with  them  into  heaven,  where  every 
grace  receives  its  adolefence  and  perfection  :  And 
then  though  they  be  ten  thoufand  times  more 
excellent  and  delightful  than  ever  they  were 
on  earth,  yet  we  can  have  no  more  communion 
with  them,  till  we  come  to  glory  ourfelves.  Now 
therefore  it  behoves  us  to.  be  enriching  ourfelves  by 
communication  of  what  God  hath  dropt  into  us, 
and  improvement   of  them  ;  as   one   well   notes. 

We  (hould  do  by  faints,  as  we  uie 
M<.  Gurnai.  to  do  by  fome  choice  book   lent  us 

for  a  few  days,  we  fhould  fix  in  our 
tnempries,  or  tranferibe  all  the  choice  notions  w& 
facet  with  in  it,  that  they  may  be  our  own  when 
the  book  is  called  for,  and  we  can  have  it  no  longer 
by  us. 


£  E  F  L  E  C  r  I  0  M 

Lord,  how  fcotf  do  I  come  of  my  duty  in  com- 
municating  to,  or  receiving  good  by  others  !  My. 
foul  is  either  empty  and  barren,  or  if  there  be  any 


Or  Navigation   Spiritualized.  6g 

tfeafure  in  if,  yet  it  is  but  as  a  treafure  locked  up 
in  fome  cheft,  whofe  key  is  loft,  when  it  mould  be 
opened  for  the  ufe  of  others.  Ah  Lord  !  I  have 
finned  greatly,  not  only  by  vain  words,  but  finfu! 
filence,  I  have  been  of  little  ufe  in  the  world. 

How  little  alio  have  I  gotten  by  communion 
Vvith  others  ?  Some,  it  may  be,  that  are  of  my  ovvrt 
fize  or Judgment,  or  that  I  am  otherwife  obliged  to, 
I  Can  delight  to  converfe  with  :  But  O,  where  is 
that  largenefs  of  heart,  and  general  delight  I  fhould 
have  to,  and  in  all  thy  people  ?  How  many  of  my 
Old  dear  acquaintance  are  now  in  heaven,  whofe 
tongues  were  as  choice  fiver,  while  they  were  here, 
]?rov.  x.  20.  And  blefled  fouls,  how  communica- 
tive were  they  of  what  thou  gaveft  them  ?  O  what 
an  improvement  had  I  made  of  my  talent  this  way, 
Jiad  1  been  diligent  !  Lord  pardon  my  neglect  of 
thole  fweet  and  bleiTed  advantages.  O  let  all  my 
delight  be  in  thy  faints,  who  are  the  excellent  of  the 
earth.  Let  me  never  go  out  of  their  company  ^ 
without  an  heart  more  warmed,  quickned,  and  en- 
larged, than  when  I  came  amongft  them. 


THE    POEM, 

<•  To  fcveral  nations  God  doth  fo  diftribute 
««  His  bounty,  that  each  one  muft  pay  a  tribute 
V  Unto  each  other.     Europe  cannot  vaunt, 
*'  And  fay,  oSAfrita  I  have  no  want, 
*'  America  and  Afie  need  not  ftrive, 
•«  Which  of  itfclf  can  bed  fubiift  and  live. 
«4  Each  QCffftrks  want,  in  (omcthiofc  d«th  rnzinta;?. 


A  New   Compap  for  Seamm 

««  Commerce  betwixt  them  all.     Such  Is  tke  aim 

««  And  end  of  God,  who  doth  difpenfe  and  give 

««  More  grace  to  fome,  their  brethren  to  relieve. 

«f  This  makes  the  fun  ten  thoufand  times  more  bright 

"  Becaufe  it  is  difTafive  of  its  light, 

c<  Itsbca.r.s  are  gilded  glorioufly  }   but  then 

M  Tnis  prop,  rty  coth  gild  them  o'er  again. 

"  Should  fun,  mocn,  ftars,  ;mpropriate  all  their  light, 

•'  What  difrral  darknefs  would  the  world  benight  ? 

*'  On  this  account  men  hate  the  vermin  brood, 

*«  Becaufe  ihey  take  in  much,  but  do  no  good. 

««  What  harm,  if  I  at  yours,  my  candle  light  : 

"  Except  thereby,  I  make  your  room  more  bright. 

««  He  that,  by  pumping,  fucks  and  craws  the  fpring, 

**  New  dreams,  end  fleeter,  to  that  well  doth  bring. 

«'  Grace  is  a  treafure  in  an  earthen  pot  $ 

*'  When  death  hath  dafht  it,  no  more  can  be  got 

"  Out  cf  that  vefiel  :  Then,  while  it  Is  whole, 

«  Get  out  the  trcafure  to  enrich  your  fowl/1 


CHAP.      XI. 

The  rocks  ahifa>  though  feas  again  ft  them  rage, 
Sp  Jkail  the  Church,  which  is  God's  heritage. 

OBSERFJTIO  N. 


THE  rocks,  though  fituate  in  the  boifterous 
and  tempeftuous  ocean,  yet  abide    fiim  and 
immovable  from  age  to  age  :  The  impetuous  waves 


Or   Navigation  Spiritualized.  ji 

dam  againft  them  with  great  violence,  but  cannot 
remove  them  out  of  their  pbce.  .And  althougli 
fometimcs  they  wafh  over  them,  and  make  them  to 
difippear,  yet  there  they  remain  fixt  and  impregna- 
ble. 


A  P  P  UJC  A  T  I  O  N. 


This  is  a  lively  emblem  of  the  condition  of  the 
church>  amidft  all  dangers  and  oppositions  where- 
with it  is  encountred  and  and  affaulted  in  this 
world.  Thefe  metaphorical  waves  roar  and  beat 
with  violence  againft  it,  but  with  as  little  fuccefs  as 
the  fea  againft  the  rock,  Mat.  xvi.  18.  "  Upon 
this  rock  will  I  build  my  church,  and  the  (gates) 
of  hell  (hall  not  prevail  againft  it."  The  gates  of 
hell  are  the  power  and  policy  of  hell  \  for  it  is  con- 
vinced to  be  an  allufive  fpeech  to  t\iQ  gates  of  the 
Jews  wherein  their  ammunition  for  war  was  lodg- 
ed, which  alio  were  the  feats  of  judicature,  there 
fate  the  judges  :  but  yet,  theft-  gates  of  hell  fhall 
hot  prevail.  Nay,  this  rock  is  not  only  invincible 
in  the  mid  It  6f  their  violence,  but:  aao  breaks  all 
that  dalb  againft  it,  Zech.  xii.  3.  "  In  that  day 
I  will  make  Jernfaiem  a  burdenibme  ftone  for  all 
people  :  all  that  burden  themfelves  with  it,  fhall  be? 
cut  in  pieces,  though  all  the  people  of  the  earth  be 
gathered  together,  againft  iu"  An  allufion  to 
one  that  eifays  to  roll  iome  great  ftone  againft  the 
hill,  which  at  la  ft  returns  upon  him,  and  crufhes 
him  to  piecfa%. 

And  thereaion  why  it  is  thus  firm  and  impregna- 
ble, is  not  from  itfelf  ;  for  alas,  {0  ccnfidered,  it  is 


^ 


A  New  Compifs  for  Stamen 


weak  arid  obhdxious  to   ruin  ;  but   frdm    the  al- 
mighty power  of  God,  which  guards  and  prefcrves 
it  day  and  night,  Pial.  xlvi.  5,  6.     (i  God  is  in  the 
ttiidft  of  her,   ilie  (hail  not  be  moved  *  God   ihall 
help  her,  and  that    right   early.'*     Vatab.     Bum 
afpicit  mane.     When  the  morning  appears;     Which 
notes  (faith  Cnhin)  God's  afliduous  and  conftant 
help  arid  iuccour,  which  is  extended  in  all  dangers, 
as  conftantfy  as  the  fun  rifes.     And    this  aftiduous 
fuccour  to  his  people,  and  their  great  (eeurity  there- 
by, is  fet  forth  in  the  ferijptures  by  a  pleaiarit  Varie- 
ty of   metaphors  and    emblems,  Zech.it,    j,     "I 
(faith  the  Lord)  will  be  a  wall  of  fire  rotfad  about 
it.     Some  thtnlt  this  phraie  alludes  to   the  Cbe--u- 
:    t<  e  way  of  the   tree    of  life   witft 
rds  :     Others,    to   the    fiery    chariots 
round        lit  Datharri,  where  Eliiria  was  :  but  moft 
think  \z  to  be   an  afuii'on  to  an  ancient  cuftom  of 
Hers  in  the  detarts  ;  who  to  prevent  the  affairs 
ci  wiicj   be  a  lis    in  the    night,    made  a    Circulm  fire 
round  about   them,    which  was  as  a  wall    to  them. 
Thus  will  God  be  to  his  people,  a  wall  cf  fire,  which 
none  can  lcale.     So  Exod.  iii,  3,  4,  5.     We  have 
an  excellent  emblem  of  the  churches  low  and  dan- 
gerous condition,  and  admirable  prefervation.    You 
have  here,  both  a  maivel  and  a  fnyffery  i   The  mar- 
vel was  to  fee  a  bufh  all  on  fire  and  yet  not  confirm- 
ed.    The  myflery   is  this  :   the  bum    reprefented 
the  fad  condition  of  the  church  in  Egypt  ;  the  fire 
flarriiiig  upon  ir,  the  grievious  affiicYions,   troubles, 
and  bondage  it  was  in  there  ;  the  remaining  of  the 
bxlfh  Unccniumed,  the  ilrange  and  admirable  pre- 
iervation  of  the  church  in  thofe  troubles.     It  lived 
there  as  the  three  rioble    jfew,    untouched    in  the 
midil  of  a  burning  fiery  furnace  :    And  the  angel  bf 
the  Lord  in  a  flame  of  fire  in  the  midfi  of  the  bui'B, 


Or   Navigation   Spiritualized.  73 

tvas  toothing  elfe  bat  the  Lord  Jefus  Chriji,  power- 
fully and  gracioufly  prefent  with  his  people,  amidft 
all  their  dangers  and  iufferings.  The  Lord  is  ex- 
ceeding tender  o\^r  them,  and  jealous  tor  them,  as 
that  expreffion  imports,  Zech.  ii.  8.  "He  that 
touches  you,  touches  the  apple  of  mine  eye,"  He 
that  ftrikes  at  them*  ftrikes  at  the  face  of  God  ; 
and  at  the  mod  excellent  part  of  the  face,  the  eye  ; 
and  at  the  moll:  tender  and  precious  part  of  the  eye 
the  apple  of  the  eye.  And  yet  (as  a  learned  mod- 
ern  oberves)  this  people  of  whom  he  ufes  this  ten- 
er  and  dear  expreltioh,  were  none  of  the  beft  of  K- 
rael  neither  ;  but  .the  refidue  that  ftaid  behind  in 
Babylon^  when  their  brethern  were  gone  to  rebuild 
the  temple  ;  and  yet  over  thefe,  is  he  as  tender,  as 
a  man  is  over  his  eye. 

k  E  F  L  EC  T I  O  N 

And  is  the  fecurity  of  the  church  To  great  I  and 
its  preiervation  fo  admirable,  amidft  'all  ftorms  and 
tempefts!  then,  why  artrhoufo  prone  and  fubjecl  to 
'delpondj  O  my  foul,  in  the  day  of  Shift  trouble  ? 
Senfible  thou  waft,  and  ougnteft  to  be  ;  but  no 
reafon  to  hang  down  the  head  through  difcourage- 
ment,  much  lefs  to  forfake  Sion  in  her  dift'refs,  for 
!:ear  of  being  ruined  with  heir. 

What  David  fpake  to  Ahiathar,  1  Sam.  xxi'i.  23; 
that  may  Zion  fpeak  to  all  her  fons  and  daughters 
in  all  their  diftrefles  :  u  Though  he  llikt  feeketh 
thy  fire,  feeketh  mine  alfo  ->  yet  with  me  (halt  thou 
be  infafeguard.  God  hath  entailed  great  falvation 
and  deliverance  upon  Sion  j  and  bieiTed  are  all  her 
friends  and  favourites  ;  the  rock  of  ages  is  ibS  de- 
fence. Fear  not  therefore,  O  my  foul>  though  the 
K 


74  A  New  Compdfe  for  SeamM 

hills  be  removed  out  of  their  place,  and  caft  into  the 
midllof  the  fea.  O  let  my  faith  triumph,  and  my 
heart  rejoice  upon  this  ground  of  comfort.  I  fee  the 
fame  rocks  now*  and  in  the  fame  place  and  conditi- 
on they  were  many  years  ago.  Though  they  h?Ve  en- 
dured many  ftorms,  yet  there  they  abide  ;  and  fo 
fhall  SjdH,  when  the  proud  waves  have  (pent  their 
fury  and  rage  againft  it* 


THE    POEM, 

!i  Mij'potamit,  fituate  in  the  fcas, 
May  reprefent  the  church,  or  if  you  pleafe, 
A  rock,  o'er  which  the  waves  do  wafh  and  fwilf. 
May  figure  it  ;  chufe  either,  which  you  will. 
Winds  drive  upon  thofe  fsas,  and  make  a  noifc, 
The  lofty  waves  fometirhes'  lift  up  their  voice, 
And  fweliing  high,  fucceflively  do  beat 
With  violence  againft  it,  then  retreat. 
They  break  themfelves,  but  it  abides  their  (hock  , 
And  when  ^heir  rage  is  fpent,  there  (lands  the  rock- 
Then  they  are  out,  that  do  affirm  and  vote, 
Peace,  pomp,  and  fplendour  is  the  churches  Note. 
And  they  defcrve  n)  lefs  reproof,  that  arc 
In  Zionys  troubles  ready  to  defpair. 
This  rock  amidir.  far  ftronger  rocks  do  lie, 
Which  arc  its  fence*  fo  deeb,  fo  thick,  ft  high* 
They  can't  be  batter\i  j  itdj  or  undermln'd : 
And  thefe,  en?iron'd  by  them,  daily  find 
'Their  bread  afcertain'd  ;  waters  too  fecur'd 
Then  (bout  and  iiuj,  yc  that  are  thus  inimur'^; 


75 


CHAP.      XII. 


What  dangers  run  thev  for  a  little  gains, 

IVhofor  then  fouls,  would  ne'er  take  half  the  fains  ! 


HOW  exceeding  foiicitous  and  adventurous  are 
Teamen  for  a  fmall  portion  of  the  world  ? 
How  prodigal  of  ftrength  and  life  for  it  ?  They 
will  run  to  the  ends  of  the  earth,  engage  in  a  thouf- 
and  dangers,  upon  the  hopes  and  probability  of  get- 
ting a  fmall  eftate.  Per  mare,  per  terras,  per  milk 
perk u la  current.  Hopes  of  gain  ,makes  them  willing 
to  adventure  their  Jiberty,  yea,  their  lite  ;  and  en- 
courages them  to  endure  heat,  cold,  and  hunger, 
and  a  thoufand  ftreights  and  difficulties,  to  which 
they  are  frequently  expofed. 


APPLICATION. 

How  hot  and  eager  are  mens  affections  after  the 
world  ?  And  how  remifs  and  cold  toward  things 
eternal  ?  They  are  careful,  and  troubled  about  ma- 
ny things,  butfeldom  mind  the  great  and  neceilary 
matters,  Luke  x.  41.  They  can  rife  early,  go  to. 
bed  late,  eat  the  bread  of  careful  n.efs  :  But  when 
did  they  fo  deny  themfelves  for  their  poor  fouls  ? 
Their  heads  are  full  of  defigns  and  projects  to  get 
or  advance  an  eftate  :  "  We  will  go  into  fuch  a 
city,  continue  there  a  year,  and  buy  and  fell,  and 
get  gain,"  James  iv.  13*     This  is  the  to  ergon,  the 


}&  ~A  Nw  Compafs  for  Seamen 

majler-defign,  which  engrofleth  all  their  time,  ftud- 
les  and  contrivances.  The  will  hath  paft  a  decree 
for  it,  the  heart  and  affections  are  fully  let  out  to 
it,  they  will  be  rich,  t  Tim.  vi.  9.  This  decree  of 
the  will,  the  lpirit  of  God  takes  deep  notice  of  it  ; 
and  indeed  it  is  the  cleared  and  fulled  diicovery  of 
man's  portion  and  condition  :  For,  look  what  is 
higheft  in  the  effimation,  firft  and  lafl  in  the 
thoughts,  and  upon  which  we  fpend  our  treafure, 
Mat.  vi.  20,  2t,  The  heads  and  hearts  of  faints  are 
full  of  felicitous  cares  and  fears  about  their  fpiritual 
condition  :  The  great  defign  they  drive  on,  to 
which  all  other  things  are  but  {parraga^  things  on 
the  by,  is  to  make  lure  their  calling  and  election. 
This  is  the  ?  (pondus)  the  weight  a:xi°byafs  of  their 
ipirit  :  if  their  hearts  ftray  and  wander  after  any  o~ 
iher  thing,  this  reduces  them  a^ain, 


REFLECTION. 

Lord,  this  hath  been,  my  manner  from  my  youth, 
may  the  carnal  minded  men  fay  ;  I  have  been  la- 
bouring for  the  meat  that  periilieth  ;  difquieting 
myiejfin  vain,  full  of  deiigns  and  projects  for  the 
world,  and  unwearied  in  my  endeavours  to  compafs 
an  earthly  treafure  5  yet  therein  I  have  either  been 
checkt  and  difappointed  by  providence  ;  or  if  I 
have  obtained,  yet  I  am  no  fooner  come  to  enjoy 
that  content  and  comfort  I  pronvfed  myfelf  in  it, 
but  I  am  ready  to  leave  it  all,  to  be  ftript  out  of  it 
by  death,  and  in  that  day  ail  my  thoughts  perifh. 
But  in  the  mean  time,  what  have  I  done  for  my 
foul  ?  When   did  1    ever   break  a  night's  fleep,  or 


Or    Navigation   Spiritualtzed.  77 

deny  and  pinch  myfelf  for  it  ?  Ah  fool  that  I  am  ! 
to  nourilh  and  pamper  a  vile  body,  which  mud 
ihortly  lie  under  the  clods  and  become  a  loath fome 
carcafe  ;  and  in  the  mean  time,  neglect  and  undo 
my  poor  foul,  which  partakes  of  the  nature  of  an- 
gels, and  mult  live  for  ever.  I  have  kept  others' 
vineyards,  but  mine  own  vineyard  I  have  not  kept : 
I  have  been  a  perpetual  drudge  and  flave  to  the 
world  j  in  a  worfe  condition  hath  my  foul  been, 
than  others  that  are  condemned  to  the  mines. 
Lord  change  my  treafure,  and  change  my  heart  : 
O  let  it  fuffice  that  1  been  thus  long  labouring  in 
the  fire,  for  very  vanity.  Now  gather  up  my 
heart  and  affections  in  thyfelf,  and  let  my  great  de- 
fign  now  be,  to  fecure  a  fpecial  intereft  in  thy  blef- 
fed  felf,  that  I  may  once  fay,  To  me  to  live  is 
Chrift, 


THE    POEM. 


<*  The  face  of  man  impreft  and  ftampt  en  Gold, 

f(  With  crown  and  royal  fcepters  we  behold. 

fl  No  wonder  that  an  humane  face  it  gains, 

"  Since  head,  heart,  foul  and  body  if  obtains. 

«  Nor  is  it  ftrange  a  fcepter  it  fhould  have, 

f*  That  to  its  yoke  the  world  doth  fo  enflave, 

f«  Charm'd  with  its  chinking  note,  away  they  go 

f<  Like  eagles  to  the  carcafs,  ride  and  row, 

"  Thrq'  worlds  of  hazards  foolifh  creatures  run, 

f*  That  into  its  embraces  they  may  come. 

"  Poor  Indians  in  the  mines  my  heart  condoles, 

f*  But  feldom  turns  afide  to  pity  fouls, 

<<  Which  are  the  Haves  indeed,  that  toil  and  fpend 


IS  A  New  Compafs  for  Seamm 

"  Themfelres  upon  its  fervice,     Surely,  fr/end, 

"  They  are  but  fextons  to  prepare  and  make 

"  Thy  grave  within  thofe  mines,  whence  they  do  take 

"  And  dig  their  ore.     Ah  !  many  fouls,  I  fear, 

"  Whofe  bodies  live,  yet  lie  entombed  there. 

"  Is  gold  fo  tempting  to  you  ?  Lo,  Chrift  ftarid?, 

«  With  length  of  days,  and  riches  in  his  hanls. 

"  Gold  in  the  fire  tried  he  freely  proffers  j 

i*  But  few  regard  or  take  thofe  golden  offers. 


CHAP.  XIII. 


Millions  of  creatures  in  the  feas  are  fed  \ 
Why  then  are  faints  in  doubt  of  daily  bread  ? 

OBSERVATION. 

THERE  are  multitudes  of  living  creatures  m 
>  the  Tea.  The  Pjalmift  faith,  there  are  in  it 
"  Things  creeping  innumerable,  both  {mall  and 
great  beads/'  Pial;  civ.  25.  And  we  read,  Gen.  i. 
20.  That  when  God  bieiTed  the  waters  he  faid, 
ht  the  writers  bring  forth  abundantly,  both  fifh  and 
fowl,  that  move  in  it,  and  fly  above  it.  Yet  all 
thofe  multitudes  of  fifh  and  fowl,  both  in  fea  and 
land,  are  cared  and  provided  for,  Pfal.  cxlv.  15,  16. 
"  Thou  giveft  them  their  meat  in  due  feafon  ;  thou 
opened-  thy  hand,  and  fatisffefi  the  defire  of  every 
living  thing." 


Or  Navigation    Spiritualized.  jf 


APPLICATION. 


If  God  takes  care  for   the  fifhes  of  the  fea,  and 
fowls  of  the  air,  much  more  will  he  care    and  pro* 
vide  for  thofe  that  fear   him.     "  When  the  poor 
and  needy  feeketh  water,   and    there  is  hone,  and 
their  tongue  faileth  -for  thrift  ;  I  the  Lord  will  hear 
them,  1  the  God  of  Ifrael  will  not    foriake    them, 
Ifa.  xli.  17.     Take  no  thought  for  your  life  [faith 
the  Lord)  what  ye  fhali  eat,  or  what  ye  (hall  drink  $ 
or  for  the  body  what  ye  fhali    put  On  :"     Which 
he  backs  with  an  argument  from  God's  providence 
over  the  creature,  and    enforceth   it  with  a  {much 
rather)  -upon  them,  Mat.  vi,  25,  £f<     God  would 
have  his  people    without  carefuhiejs  (i.  e.)  anxious 
care,  1  Cor.  vii.  32.     *c  And  to  call  their  care  up- 
on  him,  for    he  careth  for   them,"     1  Pet.  v.  7. 
There  be   twd   main  arguments  fuggefeed    in   the 
gofpel,  to   quiet  and   fatisfie  the  hearts   of  faints  in 
this  particular  :  The  one  is,  that   the  gift   of  Jefus 
Chrift  amounts  to  more  than  all  thefe   things  come 
to  ?  Yea,  in    bellowing   him,  he    has   given    that 
which    virtually    and    eminent!}'   comprehends  all 
thefe  inferiour  mercies  in  it,  Rom.    8.  32.     "  He 
that  fpared  not  his  own  Son  but  delivered    him  up 
icr  us  all  ?  how,  mall  he  not  with  him   freely  give 
us  ail  things  ?  And  1  Gor.  iii.  22.     All  things  are 
yours,  and  ye  are  Chrift's,  and    Chrift   is    God's," 
Another  argument  is,  that  God  gives  thefe  tempo- 
ral things  to  thofe  he  never   gave  his    Chrift  unto, 
and  therefore    there  is    no  great   matter  fh  them  : 
Tea,  to  thofe,  which   in  a  little  while   are    to  be 


8o  A  New  Compafs  for  Seamen 

thruft  into  hell,  Pfal.  xvit.  14.  Now,  if  God 
clothe  and  feed  his  enemies,  if  (to  allude  to  tha$j 
Luke  xii.  28.)  He  clothes  this  grafs,  which  to  day 
is  in  its  pride  and  glory  in  the  fields  and  tomorrow 
is  caft  into  the  oven,  into  hell.  How  much  more 
will  he  cloath  and  provide  for  you  that  are  faints  ? 

This  God  that  feeds  all  the  creatures,  is  your 
father,  and  a  father  that  never  dies  ;  and  therefore 
you  fhall  riot  be  as  expofed  orphans,  that  are  the 
children  of  fuch  a  father.  "For  he  hath  laid,  I 
will  never  leave  you,  nor  forfake  you3"  Heb.  xiii. 
g.  I  have  read  of  a  good  woman,  that  iri  all  wants 
and  diftrefTes,  was  wont  to  encourage  lierfeJf.  with 
that  word,  2  Sam.  xxii.  47.  The  Lord/iveth.  But 
one  time  being  in  a  deep  diftrefs,  and  forgetting 
that  confolation,  one  of  her  little  children  came  to 
her  and  faid,  Mother,  why  weep  ye  fo  ?  What  is  God 
dead  now  ?  Which  words  from  a  child,  fbamed 
her  out  of  her  unbelieving  fears,  and  quickly 
•brought  her  fpirit  to  reft.  O  Saint  !  whilft  God 
lives,  thou  canft  not  want  what  is  good  for  thee. 

How  iweet  a  life  might  chriftians  live,  could  they 
but  bring  their  hearts  to  a  full  fubjeclicn  to  the 
difpofing  will  of  God  !  to  be  content  not  only  with 
what  he  commands  and  approves,  but  alio  with 
what  he  allots  and  appoints.  It  was  a  fweet  reply, 
that  a  gracious  woman  once  made  upon  her  death 
bed,  to  a  friend  that  afked  her  whether  fhe  were 
more  willing  to  live  or  die  ?  She  anlwer'd,  I  am 
pleas'd  with  what  God  pleafeth.  Yea,  laid  her 
rriend,  but  if  God  mould  refer  it  to  you>  which 
would  you  chufe  ?  Truly,  ( faith /he)  if  God  mould 
refer  k  to  me,  I  would  refer  it  to  him  again.  Ah 
bleil  life,  when  the  will  is  fwallow'd  up  in  the  will 
of  God,  and  the  heart  at  reft  in  his  care  and  love, 
and  plcarcd  with  all  his  app>oiritirie*rit$  ! 


Or    Navigation  Spiritualized*  it 


REFLECTION. 

I  remember  my  fault  this  day,  may  many  a  gra- 
cious foul  fay.  Ah  how  faithlefs  and  diftruftml 
have  I  been  notwithstanding  the  great  fecurity  God 
hath  given  to  my  faith,  both  in  his  word  and  works  ! 

0  my  loul,  thou  haft  greatly  finned  therein,  and 
dishonoured  thy  Father  !  I  have  been  worfe  to  my 
Father,  than  my  children  are  to  -me.  The"y  trou- 
ble not  their  thoughts  with  what  they  (hall  eat  or 
drink,  or  put  on,  but  truft  to  my  care  and  provifion 
for  that  :  Yet  I  cannot    truft  my    Father,  though 

1  have  have  ten  thoufand  times  more  reafon  fo  to 
do,  than  they  have  to  truft  me,  Mat.  f.  21.  Sure- 
ly, uniels  I  were  jealous  of  my  Father's  affection,  I 
could  rYot  be  fo  dubious  of  his  provifion  for  me. 
Ah,  I  fhould  rather  wonder  that  I  have  fo  much* 
than  repine  that  I  have  no  more.  J  mould  rather 
have  been  troubled  that  I  have  done  no  more  for 
God,  than  that  I  have  received  no  more  from  God. 
I  have  not  proclaimed  it  to  the  world  by  my  con- 
verfation,  that  I  have  found  a  fufftciency  in  him  a- 
lone,  as  the  faints  have  done,  Hab.  iii.  if,  18. 
How  have  I  debafed  the  faithfulnefs  and  ail  fuffi- 
ciencyof  God,  and  magnified  theie  earthly  trifles, 
by  my  anxiety  about  them  ?  Had  I  had  more  faith,  a 
light  purfe  would  not  have  made  fuch  an  heavy, 
heart.  Lord  how  often  haft  thou  convinced  me  of 
this  tolly,  and  put  me  to  the  bktfh,  when  thou  hafl 
confuted  my  unbelief;  fo  that  I  have  refolved  nev- 
er to  diftruft  thee  more,  and  yet  new  exigencies  re« 
new;  this  corruption  ?  How  contradictory  alfo  hath 
my  heart  and  my   prayers  been  ?  I  pray  for  them 

L 


Sz  A  Neiv    Compajs  for  Seamen 

conlitionnlly,  and  with  fubmiifion  to  thy  will  :  I 
flJtift  h:ive  chern  ;  yet  this  hath  heen  the  language 
of  my  heart  anJ  Jite,  O  convince  me  of  this  fol- 
ly. 


T  H  E    P  O  E  M,      - 

"  Variety  of  enfjewa  fill  are  caught 

e<  Out  ofjhe  fea,  and  to  our  tables  brought  j 

*«  "  Ve  pick  the  chrTceft  bits,  and  then  we  fay, 

C{  We  are  fuffic*d  5  cone,  nov/,take  away. 

tl  The  table's  voile  J,  you  have  done  j  but  fain' 

«  1  would  perfuade  to  have  it  brought  again. 

"  The  fweeteft  bit  of  all  remains  behind 

"  Which  through  yo^r  want  of /kill,  you  could  not  find, 

*l  A  bil  for  faith,  have  you  not  found  it  ?  Then 

«'  I  have  made  but  half  a  meal  ;  come  tafte  agen, 

«<  Hafl  thou  confidered  (Oray  foul)  that  hand 

"  "Which  feeds  thofe  multitudes  in  Tea  and  land  ? 

<(  A  double  mercy  in  it  thou  fbould  fee  j 

"  It  fed  them  iirft,  and  then  with  them  fed  thee. 

€(  Food  in  the  waters  we  mould  think  were  fcant 

"  For  fuch  a  multitude,  yet  none  do  want. 

"  What  numerous  flocks  of  birds  above  me  f!y  ? 

"  Whn  faw  I  One,  through  want  fall  down  and  die  3 

"  They  gather  what  his  hand  to  them  doth  brinj, 

"  Tho'  but  a  worm,  and  at  that  feaft  can  fmg> 

"  How  full  a  table  doth  my  Father  keep  ? 

"  Blufh  then,  my  naughty  heart,  repent  and  weep  ; 

"  How  faithlefs  and  difti  uftful  haft  thou  been, 

"  Although  his  care  and  love  thou  oft  haft  feen  > 

"  Thus'in  a  Angle  dim  you  have  a  feaft, 

"  Your  fvft  and  fesond  courfe,  the  laft  the  bofly 


Or   Navigation  Spiritualized,  Ij 


CHAP.       XIV. 

Sea-waters  drained  through  the  earth  are  fiveet  -, 
So  are  th*  afflictions  zvhich  God's  people  meet. 

OBSERVATION. 

THE  waters  of  the  fea  in  themfelves,  are 
brackifh  and  unpleafant,  yet  being  exhaled 
by  the  fun,  and  condejnfed  into  clouds,  they  fall 
down  in  pleafant  fhowers :  or  if  drained  through 
the  earth,  their  property  is  thereby  altered  ;  and 
that  which  was  fo  fait  in  the  fea,  becomes  exceed- 
ing fweet  and  pleafant  in  the  fprings.  This  we 
find  by  conftant  experience,  the  fweetefl;  cryflal 
fpring  came  from  the  fea,  Ecclef.  i.  7, 


APPLICATION. 

Afflictions  in  themfelves  are  evil,  Arnos  ii.  6. 
Very  bitter  and  unpleafant.  See  Heb.  xii.  xi. 
Yet  not  morally  and  intrinfically  evil,  as  fin  is ;  for 
if  fo,  the  holy  God  would  never  own  it  for  his  own 
act,  as  he  doth,  Mic.  iii.  %.  but  always  difclaimeth 
fin,  Jam.  i.  3.  Befides,  if  it  were  fo  evil,  it  could 
in  no  cafe,  or  refpect,  be  the  object  of  our  election 
and  defire  ;  as  in  fome  cafes  it  ought  to  be,  Heb. 
xi.  xxv.  But  it  is  evil,  as  it  is  the  fruit  of  fin,  and 
grievous  unto  fenie,  Heb.  xiv.  11.  But  though  it 
be  thus  brackifh  and  unpleafant  in  itfclf,  yet  paf- 
fing  through  Chrifl,  and  die  covenant,  it  lofes  that 
ungrateful  property,  and  becomes  pleafant  m  the 


$  4  4  Nezv   Compajs  for  Seamen    ■ 

fruits  and  effecls  thereof,  unto  believers,  Heb.  xii. 
ii. 

Yea,  fuch  are  the  blefled  fonts  thereof,  that  they 
are  to  account  it  all  joy,  when  they  fall  into  divers 
afflicuons,  Jam.  i.  2.  Ddyfd  could  blefs  God,  that 
he  was  afflicled  ;  and  many  a  faint  hath  done  the 
like.  A  good  woman  once  compared  her  afflictions 
to  her  children:  «  For  (Jaiih  foe)  they  put  me  in 
pain  in  bearing  them  ;  yet  as  I  know  not  which 
child,  fo  neither  which  affliction  I  could  be  with- 
out." 

Sometimes  the  Lord  fandiiies  affliction  to  difco- 
ver  the  corruption  that  is    in  the   heart,  Deut.  viii. 
2.     It  is  a  furnace  to  mew  tht  drofs.     Ah  !  when 
a  (harp  affliction  comes,  then  the  pride,  impatiency, 
and  unbelief  of  the  heart  appears.      Matura  vexatd 
prodlt  feipfam.     When  the  water  is  flirred,  then  the 
mud  and  filthy    fediment    that  lay  at    the  bottom 
riles.     Little    (faith  the  afflicted  foul)  did  I  think, 
there  had  been  in  me  that  pride,  felf-love,  diftruft 
of  God,  carnal  fear,  and  unbelief,  as  I  now  find.    O 
where  is  my  patience,  my  faith,  my  glory  in  tribu- 
lation r  I   could    not    have   imagined  the   fight  of 
death  would  have  fo  appalled  me,  the  lofs.  of°  out- 
ward   things   fo  have   pierced    me.     Now   what  a 
blefled  thing  is  this,  to   have  the    heart   thus   dis- 
covered ? 

Again  :  Sanctified  afflictions  diicovcrthe  empti- 
nets  and  vanity  of  the  creature.  Now  the  Lord 
hath  Rained  its  pride,  and  vailed  its  tempting  fplen- 
dour,  by  this  or  that  affliction  ;  and  the  foul  lees 
what  an  empty,  fhallow,  deceitful  thing  it  k.  The 
world  (as  one  hath  truly  ob  erred)  is  then  only 
great  in  our  eyes  when  we  are  full  of  fenfe  and  feif: 
But  now  affliction  makes  us  more  fp'rirual,  and 
t'iCn  it  is  nothing.      Jt  drive?  them  nearer  ro  God, 


Or  Navigation  Spiritualized.  %$ 

makes  them  fee  the  necefiity  of  the  life   of  faith, 
with  multitudes  of  other  benefits. 

But  yet  thefe  fweet  fruits  of  affliction  do  not  na- 
turally, and  of  their  own  accord,  fpring  from  it  : 
No,  we  may  as  well  look  for  grapes  from  thorns,  or 
Jigs  from  tbi files,  as  for  fuch  fruits  from  affliction, 
till  Chrift' s  fanctitying  hand  and  art  have  pad  upon 
them. 

The  reafon  why  they  become  thus  fweet  and 
pleafant  (as  I  noted  before)  is,  becaufe  they  run  now 
into  another  channel  ;  Jefus  Chrift  hath  removed 
them  from  mount  Ebel  to  Gerezim  ;  they  are  no 
more  the  effects  of  vindictive  wrath,  but  paternal 
chaftifement.  And  (as  Mr.  Cafe 
well  notes)  "  A  teaching  affliction  Cor^on>  ™™* 
is  to  the  faints,  the  refult  of  all  the  tIon' pase  l82- 
offices  of  Jefus  Chrift.  As  a  king,  he  chaftens ; 
as  a  prophet,  he  teacheth,  viz.  by  chaftening  ; 
and  as  a  prieft,  he  hath  purchafed  this  grace  of  the 
father,  that  the  dry  rod  might  blofTonv,  and  bear 
fruit. "  Behold  then,  a  fanctified  affliction  is  a  cup, 
whereinto  Jefus  chrift  hath  wrung  and  preft  the 
juice  and  virtue  of  all  his  mediatory  offices.  Surely, 
that  mutt  be  a  cup  of  generous,  royal  wine,  like  that 
in  the  flipper,  a  cup  of  bleffing  to  the  people  of  God, 


REFLECTION, 


Hence  may  the  unfanctified  foul  draw  matter  of 
fear  and  trouble,  even  from  its  unfanctified  troubles. 
And  thus  it  may  reflect  upon  itfelf ;  O  my  foul, 
what  good  haft  thou  gotten  by  all,  or  any  of  thy 
afflictions  ?  God's  rod  hath  been  dumb  to  thee,  or 
thou  deaf  to  it.     I  have  not  learned  one    holy  In- 


86  J  New  Compafs  for  Seamen 

ftruction  from  it :  My  troubles  have  left  me  the 
fame,  or  worfe  than  they  found  me  ;  my  heart  was 
proud,  earthly,  and  vain  before,  and  fo  it  remains 
ftill  :  They  have  not  purged  out,  but  onlv  given 
vent  to  the  pride,  murmur,  and  atheifm  of  my 
heart.  I  have  been  in  my  afflictions,  as  that  wick- 
ed Ahaz  Was  in  his,  ;  ron.  xxviii.  22.  "  Who 
in  the  midft  of  his  diftrefs,  yet  trefpafTed  more  and 
more  againft  the  Lord/'  When  I  have  been  in 
ftorms.at  fea,  or  troubles  at  home,  my  foul 
within  me  hath  been  as  a  raging  fea,  cafting 
up  mire  and  dirt.  Surely  this  rod  is  not  the 
rod  of  God's  children.  I  have  proved  but  drofs  in 
the  furnace,  and  I  frar  the  Lord  will  put  me  away 
as^  drofs,  as  he  threatens  to  do  by  the  wicked,  Pfal. 
cxix.  1 19. 

Hence  alfo  mould  gracious  iouls  draw  much  en- 
couragement and  comfort  amidft  all  their  troubles. 
O  rhefe  are  the  fruits  of  God's  fatherly  love  to  me  I 
Why  mould  I  fear  in  the  day  of  evil  ?  or  tremble 
any  more  at  affliction  ?  though  they  feem  as  a 
ferpent  at  a  diftance,  yet  are  they  a  rod  in  hand. 
O  bleffed  be  that  fkiliul  and  gracious  hand,  that 
makes  the  rod  the  dry  rod  to^bloflbm,  and  bear 
Rich  precious  fruit, 

Lord  !  what  a  myftery  of  love  lies  in  this  difpen- 
fatlon  !  That  fm  which  firft  brought  afflict" ion  in- 
to the  world,  is  now  itfclf  carried  oat  of  the  world 
by  affliction,  Rom.  v.  12.  Ifa.  vii.  9.  O  what 
can  fruftrate  my  faivation,  when  thofe  very  things 
that  feem. mod  to  oppoie  it,  are  made  fubfervient 
to  it  ;  and  contrary  to  their  own  nature  do  pro- 
mote and  further  it  ? 


Or   Navigation  Spiritualized,  $7 


THE      POEM. 


*'  'Tis  Grange  to  hear  what  different  cenfures  fall 

'*  Upon  the  fame  affliction  ;  fome  Jo  call 

«  Their  troubles  fweet,  fome  bitter  j  others  meet 

«  Them  both  mid-way,  and  call  them  bitter  fweet. 

««  But  here's  the  queftion  ftlli  I  fain  would  fee, 

'*  Why  fweet  to  him  and  bitter  unto  me  ? 

"  Thou  drink'ft  them  dregs  and  all,  but  others  fin'«l 

««  Their  troubles  fweet,  becaufe  to  them  refm'd, 

«  And  fan&ifi'd  j  which  difference  is  beft, 

«  By  fuch  apt  S;milies  as  thefe  expreft. 

«<  From  fait  and  brackiih  feas  fumes  rife  and  fly 

"  Which  into  clouds  condensed  obfcure  the  fkle, 

*  Their  property  there  alter'd  in  few  hours 

•«  Thofe  brackim  fumes  fail  down  in  pleafant  fliowers 

"  Or  as  the  dregs  of  wine  and  beer  diftilPd 

*'  By  limbeck,  with  ingredients,  doth  yield 

*'  A  cordial  water,  though  the  lees  were  bitter, 

"  From  whence  the  chymi^t  did  extract  fuch  liquor* 

ts  Then  marvel  not  that  one  can  kifs  that  rod, 

<f  Which  makes  another  to  blafpheme  his  God. 

"  O  get  your  troubles  fweet'ned  and  refin'd 

-<«  Or  elfe  they'll  leave  bitter  effe&s  behind. 

«  Saints  troubles  are  a  cord,  let  down  by  Iove> 

Si  To  puUy  up  their  hearts  to  things  above 


$8  A  Nezv  Compafs  for  Seamen 


CHAP.     XV. 


Seas  within  their  bounds  the  Lord  contains  j 
He  aljo  men  and  devils  holds  in  chains. 


OBSERVATION. 


IT  is  a  wonderful  work  of  God  ;  to  limit  and 
bound  fuch  a  vaft  and  furious  creature,  as  the 
lea  5  which,  according  to  the  judgment  of  many 
learned  men,  is  higher  than  the  earth  ;  and  that  it 
hath  a  propenfion  to  overflow  it,  is  evident,  both 
from  its  nature  and  motion  ;  were  it  not,  that  the 
great  God  had  laid  his  law  upon  it.  And  this  is  a 
work  wherein  the  Lord  glories,  and  will  be  admir- 
ed, Pfal.  civ.  9.  "  Thou  haft  fet  a  bound  that  they 
may  not  pafs  over,  that  they  turn  not  again  to  cov- 
er the  earth."  Which  it  is  clear  they  would  do, 
were  they  not  thus  limited.  So  Job.  xxxviii.  8, 
to,  1 1 .  "  Who  fhut  up  the  feas  with  doors,  when 
it  brake  forth,  as  if  it  had  ilfued  out  of  the  womb  ? 
I  brake  up  for  it  my  decreed  place,  and  fet  bars 
and  doors,  and  faid,  hitherto  {halt  thou  come,  but 
no  further  ;  and  here  fhall  thy  proud  waves  be 
ftaid. 


Or  Navigation   Spiritualized.  8j$ 


APPLICATION. 


And  nolefs  is  the  glorious  power  and  mercy  of 
God  difcovered  in   bridling   the   rage  and   fury  of 
Satan  and   h  s  inftrumcnts,    that  they  break  not  in 
upon  the   inheritance  of   the  Lord,  and  dtftroy  it. 
"  Surely,    the    wrath  of  man  (hall   praiie    thee, 
the  remainder  of  wrath    flult  thou    reftrain."  Pfal. 
lxxvi.  10.     By  which  it  is  more  than    hinted,  that 
there  is  a  world  of  rage  and  malice  in  the  hearts  of 
wicked  men,  which  fain  would,  but  cannot  vent  it- 
felf,  becaufe  the  Lord  retrains,  or  as  the  Hebrew, 
Gtrds  it  up.     Satan  is  the  envious  one,  and  his  rage 
is  great  againft    the  people  of  God,  Rev.  xuvi2. 
But   God  holds  him  and  all  his   inftruments  in  a 
chain  of  providence  5  and  it  is  well  for  God's  people, 
that  it  is  fo. 

They  are  limited  as  the  fea,  and  fo  the  Lord  in 
a  providential   way    ipeaks  to  them,  hitherto  (hall 
you  come,  and  no  further.  Sometimes  he  ties  them 
up  fo  fhort,  that    they   cannot  touch    his   people, 
though  they  have  the   greateft   opportunities   and 
advantages,   Pfal.   cv,   12,  13,    I4V .15.     "When 
they  were  but  a  few  men  in  number,  yea,  very  few, 
arid  ftrangers  in  it ;  when    they  went  from  one  na- 
tion to  another,  from  one  kingdom  to  another  peo- 
ple :  He  fuffered  no  man  to  do  them  wrong  ;  yea, 
he  reproved  kings  for  their  fakes,  faying,  touth  not 
mine  anointed,  and   do  my   prophets   no  harm." 
And  fometimes   he  permits   them  to    touch   and 
trouble  his  people,  but  then  fets  bounds  and  limits 
to  them,  beyond  which  they  muft  not  pafs.     That 
M 


fl®  A  New  Cmpqftftr  Seamen 

js  a  pregnant  text  to  this  purpofe    «  Revel   ;;    , 
Behold,  the  d,vi,fl,a,lcaftPfonneoi  you  o£p  »£ 

Here  are  four  remarkable  limitations,  upon  fatan 
«d  his  agent;,  ln  reference  to  the,  people   of  God 

a  S  2?"  wf  ,the  per,ons- not  3 but  fee ; 

A  limitation    of  the   punimment,  a  priton,  not  a 

STfcXJ? :  A  limitation  ^ tlim  «  toK 

end  ,  for  trial   not  rum  ■    And  laftly  as  to  the   ** 
«*,  not  as  long  as  they  pleafe,  but  ten  days.        ' 

REFLECTION, 

i 

O  my  foul,  what  marrow  and  fatnefs,  comfort,  and 
confolation,  rmyeft  thou  fuck  from  the  breaft  of 
this  truth,  in  the  darkeft  day  of  trouble  ?  Thou 
£5  fao^efloW.Dgfea  drives  to  overwhelm  the 
ea.tn  \\ho  has  arretted  it  in  itscourfe,  and  flout 
its  violence!  Who  has  confined  it  to  its  placed 
Certainly  none  other  but  the  Lord.  When  I  fee 
|t  threaten,  the  ihore  with  its  proud,  furious,  and 
intultmg  waves,  I  wonder  it  doth  not  fwallow  up 
ail  :  iiut  I  fee  it  no  fooner  touch  the  fands,  which 
V'Od  hath  made  it,  bounds,  but  it  retires,  and  as  it 
were  with  a  kind  of  lubmiffion,  relpecls  thofe  lim- 
its winch  God  hath  fet  it. 

Thus  tl -e  fierceft  element  is  reprefi  by  the  feeblcfl  - 
things^    1  hou  fetft  alfo,  how  full  of  wrath  and  fury 
wicked  men  are,  how  they   rage  like  the   troubled 
»ea,  and  threaten  to  overwhelm  *thee,  and     all 


ubiHtf'  Tak'S  fcd«V*e%4eror  of  German,  lately  puHi/hcd  by 


Authority, 


Or   Navigation   Spiritualize  J.  91 

r.he  Lord's  inheritance  :  and  then  the  floods. of  un> 
^odly  men  make  thee  afraid,  yet  are  they  retrained 
fey  an  invifible  gracious  hand,   that  they  cannot  ex- 
ecute their  purpefe,  nor  perform  their  enterprise. 
How  full  of  devils  and  devilized  men,  is  this  lower 
world  ?  Yet   in  the   midft  of  them   all  haft  thou 
hitherto  been  preferved.     O  my  foul   admire   and 
adore  that  glorious  power  of  God,    by  which  thoU 
art  kept  unto  iaivatiori.     Is.  hot  the  pfefervation  of 
a  faint  in  the  midft  of  fuch  hofts  of  enemies  as  great 
a  miracle,  though  not  lb  fenfible,  as   the  preserva- 
tion of  thofe  three   noble  jews  in  the  "mid  ft  of  the 
fiery  furnace,  or  Daniel  in  the  den  of  lions  ?  For 
there  is  as  ftrong  a  propenfion  in  Satan;  and  wicked 
men,  to'  deftroy  the  faints  ;  as  in  the  fire  to  burn, 
or  a  lion  to  devour.     Q  then  let  me,chearlu!ly  ad- 
drefs  myfelf  to  the  faithful  difcharge  of  my  duty,  and 
ft'and  no  longer  in  a  flavilri  fear  of  creatures,  who 
can  have  ho  power  againft  me,  but    what  is  given 
them  from  above,  John  xix.    11.     And  no   more 
mall  be  given  than  mall  turn  to  the  glory   of  God, 
Plal.  lxxvi.  1 0.  and  the  advantage  of  my  foul,  Rom; 
tiii.  28, 


THE    FOE  M. 


c?  This  world's  a  foreft,  where  from  day  t>  dayt 

«  Bears,  wolves,  and  lions  rangs  and  feek  their  prey 

if  Amid:1  them  all  poor  harmltfs  Lambs  are  fed, 

<*  And  by  their  very  dens  in  fafety  led. 

'«  They  roar  up3n  us,  but  are  held  in  chains : 

*l  Our  Shepherd,  is  their  keeper,  he  mgiritaiiis 


$*  A  New  Cmpafs  for  Seamm 

"  Our  lot.     Whj  fhen  mould  we  fo  tremblm*  {land  ? 
"  We  meet  them,  true,  but  in  their  leper's  hand. 
'•  He  that  to  ragmg  feas  fuch  bounds  hath  put 
«  The  souths  of  ravenous  beafr  can  alfo  fhut. 
6t  Sleep  i.i  the  wood3,poor  lambs  yourfelves  repofe 
<*  Upon  his  care,  whofe  eyes  do  never  clofe. 
**  If  unbelief  In  you  don't  loofe  their  chain, 
"  Fear  not  their  ftruggling,  that's  b  -t  all  in  v?iif. 
(  *'  If  God  can  check  the  wav-s  by  fmalleft  Sand 

"  A  f.vined  thread  may  hold  thefe  in  his  hand. 
«  Shun  fin,  ke?p  clofc  to  Ch>Lt  ;   for  other  evils 
"  You  need  not  ftar,  tho'  compact  round  with  devils. 


CHAP.     XVI. 


To  fea  without  a  comtars  none  dare  go  j 
Our  courje  without  the  word  is  even  Jo. 

OBSERVATION. 

OF  how  great  ufe  anJ  n-ceflky  is  (he  compafs 
to  Tea  men  ?  Though  they  can  coaft  a  little 
way  by  the  iliore,  yet  they  dare  not  venture  far  in- 
to the  ocenn  without  it.  ft  is  their  guide,  and 
directs  and  thapes  their  courfe  for  them  :  And  if  by 
the  violence  of  wiud  and  weather  they  are  driven 
befide  their  due  courfe,  yet  by  the  help  of  this,  they 
are  reduced  and  brought  to  rights  again.  It  is 
wonderful  to  confider,  how  by  the  help  of  this  guide 
they  can  run  in  adi-ed  line  many  hundred  leagues, 
and  at  kit  fall  right  with  the  fmalleft  ifland  ;  which 


Or    Navigation  Spiritualized.  93 

is  in  the  ocean,  comparatively,  but   as  the  head  of 
a  fmall  pin  Upon  a  table. 


APPLICATION. 


What  the  corhpafs,  and  all  other  mathemat- 
ical inflruments  are  to  the  navigator,  that  and 
much  more  is  the  word  of  Gcd  to  us  in  our  courfe 
to  heaven.  This  is  our  compafs  to  fleer  our  courfe 
by,  and  it  is  truly  touched  ;  he  that  orders  his  con- 
verfatioh  by  it,  (hall  fafely  arrive  in  heaten  at  laft. 
Gal.  vi.  16.  As  many  as  walk  according  to  this  rule, 
peace  be  on  them  and  mercy. 

This  word  is  as  neceffary  to  us  in  our  way  to 
glory,  as  a  lamp  or  lanthorn  is  in  a  dark  night, 
Pfal.  cxix.  105.  That  is  a  light  fhining  in  a  dark 
place,  till  the  day  dawn,  and  the  day-ftar  arife  in 
our  hearts,  2  Pet.  i.  19.  If  any  that  profefs  to 
know  it  and  own  it  as  a  rule,  mifs  heaven  at  laft ; 
let  them  not  blame  the  word  for  mifguiding  them, 
but  their  own  negligent  and  deceitful  hearts,  that 
(huffle  in  and  out,  and  fhape  not  their  courfe  and 
converlation  according  to  its  prefcriptions. 

What  blame  can  you  lay  upon  the  compafs,  if 
you  (leer  not  exactly  by  it  ?  How  many  are  there, 
that  neglecting  this  rule,  will  coaft  it  to  heaven  by 
their  own  reafon  ?  No  wonder  fuch  fall  fliort  and 
perim  in  the  way.  This  is  a  faithful  guide,  and 
brings  all  that  follow  jt  to  the  bleffed  end,  "  Thou 
/hall guide  me  with  thy  coimfel,  and  afterwards  receive 
me  to  gtery,  Pfal.  lxxiii,  24.  The  whole  hundredth 
and  ninteenth  Pfalm  is  (pent  in  commendation  of 
its  tranlcendent  excellency  and  ufefulnefs.  Luther 
profeft,  that  he  prized  it  fo  highly,  that  he  would 


94  A  tew  'Compa/s  for  Szameh 

not  take  the  whole  world  in  exchange  for  one  leaf 
of  it.  Lay  but  this  rule  before  you,  and  walk  ac- 
curately by  it,  and  you  cannot  be  out  of  your  way 
to  heaven,  Pfal.  cxix.  30.  /  have  chofen  the  way  of 
truth,  {or  ike  true  way  ,)  thy  judgment  have  I  'laid 
before  me.  Some  indeed  have  opened  their  detrac- 
ting blafphemous  mouths  againft  it ;  as  Julian,  that 
curled  apoftate,  who  feared  not  to  iky,  there  was  as 
good  matter  in  Phocillides  as  in  Solomon,  in  Pin- 
dams*  Odes,  as  in  David's  Pfalrhs, 

And  the  papifts  generally  flight   it,  making  it  a 
lame  imperfect  rule  5  yea,  making  their  own  tradi- 
tions the  touchflorie  of  dodrines,  and  foundation  of 
faith.     Montanus  tells  us,  that  although  the  apof- 
tie  would  have  fcrmons  and  fervice  celebrated  in  a 
known  tongue,  yet  the  church,  for  very  good  caufe, 
hath   otherwife  ordered   it.     Gilford   called  it,  the 
mother  of  herefies.     Bonner's  chaplain  judged  it 
worthy  to  be   burnt   as  a  ftrange  doctrine.     They 
kt  up  their  inventions  above  it,  and  frequently  come 
•in  with  a  Non  cbflante  againft   Child's  inftitutions. 
And  thus  do    they  make  it  void,  or,  as    the    word 
xnateilcntes  fighifies,    Mat.  xv.  6.     Urilord    it  and 
take  away   its  authority  as  a   rule.     But  thole  that 
have  thus  flighted  it,  and  followed  the  by-paths  un- 
to which  their  corrupt  hearts   have  led    them,  they 
take  not  hold  of  the  paths  of  life,  and  are   now  in 
the  depths  of  hell.     All  other  lights,  to  which  men 
pretend,  in  the  negletf:  of  this,  'are  but    falfe  fires; 
that  will  lead   men  into  the    pits  and    bogs  of  de- 
duction at  lad.  & 

REFLECTION. 

And  is  thy  word  a  compafs,  to  diredi  my  coune 
*o  glory  ?  o  where  am  I  tberi  (ike  to  arrive  at  laft, 


Or   Navigation   Spiritualized.  $$ 

that  in  all  my  courfe  have  neglected  it,  and  fleered 
according  to  the  counfel  of  my  own  heart  !■  Lord, 
I  have  not  made  thy  word  the  man  of  my  counfel, 
but  confulted  with  flefh  and  blood;  I  have  not  en- 
quired at  this  oracle,  nor  ftudied  it,  and  made  it 
the  guide  of  my  way  5  but  walked  after  the  fight 
of  my  eyes,  and  the  luft  of  my  heart.  Whither 
Lord  can  I  come  at  laft,  but  to  hell,  after  this  rate 
and  reckoning  ?  Some  have  flighted  thv  word  pro- 
felTedly,  and  I  have  flighted  it  praaically.  I  have 
a  poor  foul  embarqued  for  eternity,  it  is  now  floating 
on  a  dangerous  ocean,  rocks  and  fands  on  every  fide, 
and  I  go  a  drift  before  every  wind  of  temptation, 
and  know  not  where  I  am.  Ah  Lord,  convince 
rne  of  the  danger  of  this  condition.  O  convince 
me  of  my  ignorance  in  thy  word,  and  the  fatal  con- 
fequence  and  iffue  thereof.  Lord,  kt  me  now  re- 
folve  to  ftudy,  prize,  and  obey  it  ;  hide  it  in  my 
heart,  that  I  may  not  fin  againft  it  :  Open 
my  underflanding,  that  I  may  underftand  the 
fcriptures :  Open  my  heart  to  entertain  it  in  love. 
O  thou  that  haft  been  fo  gracious  to  give  a  perfect 
rule,  give  me  alfo  a  perfect  heart  to  walk  by  that 
rule  to  glory  ! 


THE    POEM. 

'  "  This  world's  a  fca,  wherein  a  numerous  fleet 
"  Of  fhips  are  under  fail.     Here  you  (hall  meet 
«'  Of  every  rate  and  fize  ;  Frigates,  Galleons, 
V  The  nimble  ketches  and  fmall  pr'ckeroons : 
•!  Seme  tPttnd  to  this  port,  Come  where  winds  and  wcathei 


}6  A  Nw  Compafs  for  Seamm 

«  Will  drive  them,  they  are  bound  they  know  not  whith#ft 

A  Some  fteeraway  for  heaven,  forne  for  hell  ; 

»«  To  which  fome  fteer,  themfelves  can  hardly  tell. 

»«  The  winds  do  fhape  their  courfe,  which  tho'  it  blow 

*\  From  any  p^int,  befgre  it  they  muft  go. 

u  They  are  directed  by  the  wind  and  tide, 

«'  That  have  no  compafs  to  direel  and  guide  i 

«<  For  want  of  phis,  muft  run  themfelves  a  ground, 

*«  Brave  ihips  are  caft  away,  paor  fouls  are  drown'4. 

«  Thy  word  our  compafs  is  to  guide  our  way 

M  To  glory  ;  it  reduces  fuch  as  ftray. 

«  Lord,  let  thy  word  dwell  richly  in  my  heart, 

"  And  make  me  fkilful  in  this  heavenly  art, 

<*  O  let  me  underftand  and  be  fo  wife, 

**  To  know  upon  what  point  my  country  lies. 

«  And  having  fet  my  coufe  dire&ly  thither, 

•*  Great  God  preferve  me  in  the  fouleft  weather, 

"  By  reafon  fome  will  coaft  it :  but  I  fear 

<«  Such  coafters  never  will  drop  anchor  there. 

'«  Thy  word  is  truly  toucht,  and  ftill  dirt&s 

f*  A  proper  courfe  which  my  bafe  heart  neglect 

"  Lord  touch  mine  iron  heart,  and  make  it  ft  and 

"  Ppinting  to  thee,  its  loadftone  to  that  land 

"  Of  Reft  above.     Let  every  tempt  ft  drive 

'*  My  foul,  where  it  would  rather  be  than  live." 


CHAP.     XVII. 

J^ook  as  the  Sea  by  turns  doth  ebb  a-djlcw  ; 
So  thdr  Elates,  that  uje  it,  come  and  go, 

OBSERVATION. 

THE  fea  hath  its  alternate  courfe    and  motion, 
its  ebbings  and   flowings  :  no  fooner   is  it 


Or  Navigation  Spiritualized*  §y 

high-water,  but  it  begins  to  ebb  again^  and  leave 
the  (hore  naked  and  dry,  which  but  a  little  before 
it  covered  and  over-flowed.  And  as  its  tides  fo  al- 
io its  waves  are  the  emblem  of  inconftancy,  dill 
rolling  and  tumbling,  this  way  and  that,  never 
fixt  and  quiet;  InftabUis  unda  :  As  fickle  as  a  wave, 
is  common  to  a  Proverb.  See  James  i.  6.  He  thai 
waveretb  is  like  a  wave  cfthefea,  driven  with  winds  ^ 
mdtofled.     So  Ifai.  lvii.  20.     //  cannot  reft. 


APPLICATION. 

.  Thus  mutable  and  inconftant  are  all  outward 
things,  there  is  no  depending  on  them  :  nothing  of 
any  fubftance,  or  any  folid  confidence  in  them,  1 
Cor.  vii.  31.  Thefajhion  of  this  world  pajfeth  a- 
way.  It  is  an  high  point  of  folly  to  depend  upon 
fuch  vanities*  Prov.  xxiii.  5.  Why  wilt  thoufet  (or 
as  it  is  in  the  Hebrew)  caufe  thine  eyes  to  fly  upon  that 
which  is  not  ?  For  riches  certainly  make  them/elves 
Wings  and  fly  away,  as,  an  eagle  tozvards  heaven.  In 
flying  to  us  (faith  Augufwie)  they  have  das  vhc 
quidem  pajennas,  fcarce  a  fparrow's  wings  ;  but  in 
flying  from  us,  wings  as  ail  eagle.  And  thofe  wings 
they  are  faid  to  make  to  themfelves,  (/.  *.)  the 
caiifeofits  tranfitorinefs  is  in  itfelf ;  the  creature 
is  fubjeded  to  Vanity  by  f,h  :  They  are  fweet 
flowers,  but  withered  prefentiy,  James  i.  10  As 
the  flower  of  the  grafs  Jo  jhall  the  rich  man  fade' away. 
The  man  is  like  tfre  flalk  of  the  grafs  ;  his  riches 
are  the  flower  of  the  grafs  3  his  glory  and  outward 
beauty,  the  flalk  is  foon  withered,  but  the  flower 
much  iooner.  This  is  either  withered  upon,or  blown 
bff  from  it,  while  the  ftalk  abides,     Many  a  roari 


$8  SI  New  Compajs  for  Seamen 

out  lives  his  eftate  and  honour,  and  Hands  in  the 
world  as  a  bare  dry  (talk  in  the  field,  whofe  flower, 
beauty,  and  bravery  is  gone  ;  one  puff  of  wind  blows 
it  away,  one  churliih  eafterly  blaft  fhrivels  it  up, 
I  Pet.  iv.  24. 

How  mad  a  thing  is  it  then,  for  any  man  to  be 
lifted  up  in  pride,  upon  fuch  a  vanity  as  this  is ;  to 
build  fo  lofty  and  over-jetting  roof  upon  fuch  a  fee- 
ble tottering  foundation  ?  We  have  feen  meadows 
full  of  fuch  curious  flowers,  mown  down  and  with- 
ered, men  of  great  eftates  impoverished  Suddenly  ; 
and  when,  like  a  meadow  that  is  mown,  they  have 
begun  to  recover  themlelves  again. (as  the  phrafe  is) 
the  Lord  hath  fent  Grafhoppers  in  the  beginning  of  the 
Jhooting  up  of  the  latter  grozvth,  Amos  vii.  1.  Juft  as 
the  grafhoppers  and  other  creatures  devour  the  fec- 
ond  tender  herbage,  as  foon  as  «the  field  begins  to 
recover  its  verdure.  So  men,  after  they  have  been 
denuded  and  blafted  by  providence,  they  begin  af- 
ter a  while  to  flourifh  again,  but  then  comes  fome 
new  affliction,  and  blafts  all.  None  have  more  fre- 
quent experience  of  this,  than  you  that  are  merchants 
and  fea-men,  whofe  eftates  are  floating  :  and  yet  fuch 
as  have  had  the  higheft  fecurity  in  the  eye  of  rea- 
fon,  have  notwithstanding  experienced  the  vanity  of 
thefe  things.  Henry  the  fourth  a  potent  prince,  was 
reduced  to  fuch  a  low  ebb,  that  he  petitioned  for  a 
Prebend's  place  in  the  Church  of  Spire.  Gal/imet, 
king  of  the  Vandals,  was  brought  fo  low,  that  he  fent 
to  his  friend  for  a  fpunge,  a  loaf  of  bread  and  ah 
harp  :  a  fpunge  to  dry  up  his  tears,  a  loaf  of  bread 
to  maintain  his  life,  and  an  harp  to  folace  himtelf  in 
his  mifery.  The  ftory  of  BeHifartus  is  very  affect- 
ing :  He  was  a  man  famous  in  his  time,  general  of 
an  army,  yet  having  his  eyes  put  out,  and  flripped 
of  all  earthly  comforts,  was  led  about,  crying,  Date 


Or  Navigation   Spiritualized.  99 

obolum  B'ellifariO)  Give  one  penny  to  poor  Belli/arms. 
Instances  in  hiftory  of  this  kind  are  infinite.  Men 
of  the  greateft  eftates  and  honours,  have  neverthelefs 
become  the  very  Ludibria  fortune,  as  one  fpeaks, 
The  very  fcorn  of  fortune. 

Yea,  and  not  only  wicked  men,  that  have  gotten 
their  eftates  by  rapine  and  oppreffion,  have  lived  to 
fee  them  thus  fcattered  by  providence  :  but  fome- 
times  godly  men  have  had  their  eftates,  how  juftly 
foever  acquired,  thus  fcattered  by  providence  aifo. 
Who  ever  had  an  eftate  better  gotten,  better  bot- 
tomed, or  better  managed,  than  Job  ?  yet  all  was 
overthrown  and  fwept  away  in  a  moment  :  though 
in  mercy  to  him,  as  the  ifibe  demonftrated, 

Oh  then  !  what  a  vanity  is  it  to  fet  the  heart  and 
let  out  the  affections  on  them  !  You  can  never  de- 
pend too  much  upon  God,  nor  too  little  upon  the 
creature,  1  Tim.  vi.  17,  '*  Charge  them  that  are 
rich  in  this  world,  that  they  be  not  high  minded  and 
truft  in  uncertain  riches." 

REFLECTION. 

Are  all  earthly  things  thus  tranfitory  and  vain  ? 
Then  what  a  reproach  and  fhame  is  it  to  me,  that 
the  men  of  this  world  fhould  be  more  induftrious 
and  eager  in  the  profecution  offuch  vanities,  than  I 
am  to  enrich  my  foul  with  folid  and  everlafting  treaf- 
ure  ?  O  that  ever  a  fenfual'luft  fhould  be  more  op- 
erative in  them  than  the  love  of  God  in  me  !  O  my 
foul,  thou  doft  not  lay  out  thy  ftrength  and  carn- 
eftnefs  for  heaven,  with  any  proportion  to  what  they 
do  for  the  world.  1  have  indeed  higher  motives, 
and  a  furer  reward  than  they  :  But  as  I  have  an  ad- 
vantage above  them  herein,  fo  they  have  an  ad- 
vantage  above  me  in  theftrength  and  intirenefs  of 


roo  A  New  Compafs  for  Seamen 

the  principle  by  which  they  are  acted.  What  they 
do  for  the  world,  they  do  it  with  all  their  might  y 
they  have  no  contrary  principle  to  oppole  them  • 
their  thoughts,  flrength,  and  affections  are  intirely 
carried  in  one  channel :  But  I  find  a  law  in  my  mem- 
ben  warring  again/I  the  lazv  of  my  mind ;  I  muft  drive 
through  a  thoufand  difficulties  and  contradictions, 
to  the  diicharge  of  a  duty.  O  my  God  !  Shall  not 
my  heart  be  more  enlarged  in  zeal,  love,  and  delight 
in  thee,  than  theirs  are  after  their  lufts  I  O  let  me 
once  find  it  fo. 

Again,  is  the  creature  fo  vain  and  unliable,  then 
why  are  my  affections  fo  hot  and  eager  after  it  I 
And  why  am  I  fo  apt  to  dote  upon  its  beautv,  efpe- 
cially  when  God  is  ftaining  all  its  pride  and  "glory  !■ 
Jer.  xlv.  5,  6.  Surely  it  is  unbecoming  the  fpirit 
oi  a  Chriftian  at  any  time  j  bun  at  fuch  a  time  we 
may  fay  of  it,  as  Eujhai  of  AhithopkePs  counfel,  //  is 
not  good  q&  this  time* 

O  that  my  fpirit  were  railed  above  tnem,  and  my 
converfation  more  in  heaven  !   O  that  like  that  an- 
gel, Rev*  x.  1,2.    which  came  down  from  heaven 
and  fet  one  foot  upon  the  fea,  and  another  upon  the 
earth,  having  a  crown  upon  his  head,  fo  I  might  fet  :i 
one  foot  upon  all  the  cares,  fears,  and  terrors  of  the  * 
world,  and  another  upon  all  the  tempting  fplendour  I 
and  glory  of  the  world,  treading  both  under  foot  in 
the  duff,  and   crowning   my  (elf  with  nothing  but 
Spiritual  excellencies  and  glory  ! 


T  H  E     POEM, 

;  Judge  in  thyfelf  (O  Chriftian)  is  it  meet 

I  I"  0  fet  thy  heart  on  what  bcafts  fet  their  feet  * 


Or  Navigation   Spiritualized,  i&x 


f  'TIs  no  hyperboky  if  you  be  toW, 

«  Yo\i  dig  for  drofs  with  mattocks  made  of  gold. 

«  Affettions  are  too  coftly  to  beftow 

«  Upon  the  fair-fac'd  nothings  here  below. 

«  The  eagle  fcorns  to  fall  down  from  on  high 

«  (The  proverb  faith)  to  catch  the  filly  flie. 

f  And  can  a  Chriftian  leave  the  face  of  God, 

f  T'  embrace  the  earth,  or  dote  upon  a  clod  ? 

«  Can  earthly  things  thy  heart  fo  ftiangely  movfiB 

«  Tp  tempt  it  down  from  the  delights  above  } 

<  And  now  to  court  the  world  at  fuch  a  time 
«  When  God  is  laying  judgment  to  the  line  ? 
f  It's  juft  like  him  that  doth  his  cabin  fweep 
«  And  trim,  when  all  is  finking  in  the  deep  ; 
«  Or  like  the  filly  bird,  that  to  her  neft 

<  Doth  carry  ftraws,  and  never  is  at  reft, 

«  Till  it  be  feathered  well,  but  doth  not  fee 
«  The  ax  beneath  that's  hewing  down  the  tree. 
«  If  on  a  thorn  thy  heart  itfelf  repofe 

<  With  fuch  delight,  what  if  it  were  a  rofe  ? 
*  Admire,  O  faint,  the  wif  lorn  of  thy  God, 

«  Who  of  the  felf-fame  tree  doth  make  a  rod, 

<  Left  thou  fhouldft  furfeit  on  forbidden  fruit, 
«  And  live  not  like  a  faint,  but  like  a  brute.' » 


CHAP.     XVIII. 

Like  hungry  lions*  waves  for  tinners  gape  : 
Leave  then  your  fins  behind,  if  you  11  efcape. 

OBSERVATION. 

TH  E  waves  of  the  Tea  are  fbme times  railed  by 
God's  commifTion,  to  be  executioners  of  bis 


lot  A  New  Gomfafs  for  Seamen 

threatnings  upon  Tinners.     When  Jonah  fled  from 

the  prefence  of  the  Lord  to  Tarjbijb,  the  text  faith, 

I  he  Lord  fent  out  a  great  wind  into  the  fea,  and 

there  was  a  mighty  tempeft,  fo  that  the  fhip  was  like 

to  be  broken/'  Jonah  i.  4.  Thefe  were  God's  bail- 

iiis,to  arreftthe  run-away  prophet.  And  Pfal.  cxlviii. 

».     The  ftormy  winds  are  laid  tofo/ftl  bis  wot  d ; 

not  only  his  word  of  command,  in  rifing  when  God 

bids  them,  but  his  word  of  threading  alfo.     And 

hence  it  is  called  a  deftroying  wind,  Jer.  li.  1.  and  a 

ftormy  wind  in  God's  fury,  Ezek,  xiii.  1  j. 

APPLICATION. 

If  thefe  be  the   executioners  of  God's   threat- 
ning,  how  fad  then  is  their  condition  that  put  forth 
to  fea  under  the  guilt  of  all  their  fins  ?    O,  if  God 
fhould  commiffionate  the  winds  to  go  after  and  ar- 
reft  thee  for  all  thou  oweft  him,  where  art  thou  then  ? 
How  dare  you  put  forth  under  the  power  of  a  divine 
threat,  before  ail  be  cleared  betwixt  God  and  thee  ? 
Sins  in  Scripture  are  called  debts,  Mat.  vi.  12.  They 
are  debts  to  God ;  not  that  we  owe  them  to  him, 
or  ought  to  fin,  but  n:c;cnymi  catty,  becaufe  they  ren- 
der the  finner  obnoxious  'to  God's  judgments,  even 
as  pecuniary  debts  oblige  him  that  hath  not  where- 
with to  pay,  to  fufter  punimment.    All  finners  muft 
undergo  the  curfe,  either  in  their  own  perfon,  ac- 
cording to  the  expreis  letter  of  the  law,  Gen.  ii.  17. 
Gal.  in.  10.  or  their  iurety,  according  to  the  tacit 
jntent  of  the  law,  manifefted  to  be  the  mind  of  the 
law-giver,  Gen.  iii.  15.  Gal.  hi.  1-,  t4. 

Now  he  that  by  faith  hath  intereft  in  this  furety, 
hath  his  difdwge,  his  ^uietiq  eft,  fealed  in  the  blood 
of  (Thrift  ;  all  procefs  at  law,  or  from  the  law,  is 
ftopt.  Rom.  viii.  1.    But  if  thou  be  an  impenitent 


Of"    Navigation  Spiritualized.  103 

pcrfiftine  tinner,  thy  debt  remains  upon  thine  own 
fcore.  "  And  be  fure  thy  fin  will  find  theeout 
where  ever  thou  goeft,'  Nam.  xxxn.23.  (t.e.)  God  s 
revenging  hand  for  fin  will  be  upon  thee  :  Thou 
maid  lofe  the  fight  and  memory  of  thy  fins,  but  they 
lofe  not  the  fight  of  thee ;  they  follow  after,  as  the 
hound  doth  the  fleeting  game  upon  the  icent  tul 
they  have  fetcht  thee  up  :  And  then  confidcr, 
«  How  fearful  a  thing  it  is  to  fall  into  the  hands  ot 
the  living  God,"  Heb.  x.  31.  How  loon  may  a 
ftorm  arreft,  and  bring  thee  before  the  bar  of  God  f 

REFLECTION. 

O  my  foul,  what  a  cafe  art  thou  in,  if  this  be  fo  ? 
Are  not  all  thy  fins  yet  upon  thine  own  (core  ?  Haft 
not  thou  made  light  of  Chrift,  and  that  precious 
blood  of  his,  and  hitherto  .perfifted  in  thy  rebellion 
a^ainft  him  ?  And  what  can  the  iffue  of  this  be  at 
laft,  but  ruin  ?  There  is  abundant  mercy  indeed  for 
returning  finners ;  but  the  gofpel  fpeaks  of  none  for 
perfifting  and  impenitent  finners*     And  though  ma- 
ny who  are  going  on  in  their  fins  are  overtaken  by 
grace,  yet  there  is  no  grace  promifed  to  fuch  as  go 
on  in  fin.     O,  if  God  fhould  arrefl  me  by  the  next 
ftorm,  and  call  me  to  an  account  for  all  that  1  owe 
him,  I  muft  then  ly  in  the  prifon  of  hell  to  all  eter- 
nity ;  for  I  can  never  pay  the  debt ;  nay,  all  the  an- 
gels in  heaven  cannot  fatisfy  for  it.     Being  Chrift- 
k(s,  I  am  under  all  the  curfes  in  the  book  of  God  ; 
a  child  of  Hagar.     Lord,  pity  and  fpare  me  a  little 
longer  !    O  difcover  thy  Chrift  unto  me,  and  give 
me  faith  in  his  blood,  and  then  thou  art  fully  fatis- 
fied  at  once,  and  I  difcharged  for  ever.     O  require 
not  the  debt  at  my  hand,  for  then,  thou  wilt  never 
be  fatisfied,  nor  I  acquitted.     What  profit,  Lord, 


*04  A  New  Ccmpafs  for  Seamen 

is  there  in  my  blood  !  O  my  foul,  make  hade  to 
this  Chrift,  thy  refuge  city  ;  thou  knoweft  not  how 
loon  the  avenger  of  blood  may  overtake  thee. 


THE     POE  M. 

'  Thy  fins  are  debts,  God  puts  them  to  account  s 

'  Canft  tell,  poor  wtetch,  to  what  thy  debts  amount  1 

c  Thou  fill'ft  the  treafure  of  thy  fins  each  hour; 

*  Into  his  vials  God  doth  alio  pour 

'  Proportionable  wrath  :  Thou  feeft  it  not ; 
c  But  yet  afiure  thyfelf,  there's  drop  for  drop. 
'  For  every  fand  of  patience  running  out, 

<  A  drop  of  wrath  runs  in.     Soul,  lo»k  about. 

'  God's  treafure's  almoft  full,  as  well  as  thine  : 

*  When  both  are  full,  O  then  the  dreadful  time 

<  Of  reckoning  comes  J  thou  fhalt  not  gain  a  day 

*  Of  patience  more,  but  then  there  haftes  away 

€  Heaven's  purfivant,  who  comes  upon  the  \vin» 
e  With  his  commiflion  feal'd,  to  take  and  bring. 
«  Do' ft  ftill  reject  Chrift's  tenders  ?  Well,  next  ftorm 

<  May  be  the  bailiff  ordered  to  perform 

'  This  dreadful  ofnee.     O  then  rcftlefs  be, 

*  Till  God  in  Chrift  be  reconcil'd  to  thee. 

'  The  fum  is  great,  but  if  a  Chrift  thou  get, 
'  Fear  not,  a  Prince  can  pay  a  beggar's  debt. 

<  Now  if  the  ftormftiould  rife,  thou  need  not  fear  ; 

*  Thou  art,  but  the  delinquent  is  not  there. 

*  A  pardon' d  foul  to  fea  may  boldly  go  : 

'  He  fears  no:  bailiffs,  that  doth  nothing  owe." 


fir  Navigation  Spiritualized.  id$ 


CHAP.       XIX, 


To  fave  the  flip,  rich  ladings  cafl  azvay^ 
Thy  foul  isjlnpwreclzd  if  thy  lufls  do  flay, 


OBSERVATION. 


IN  dorms  and  diflrefTes  at  fca,  the  richer!:  com- 
modities are  cad  over  board  ;  they  viand  not 
upon  it,' when  life  and  all  is  in  jeopardy  and  hazard., 
Jonah  i.  $.  The  mariners  cafl  forth  the  wares  that 
were  in  the  fhip  into,  the  fea,  to  lighten  it.  And 
Acls  xxvii,  i8j  19.  they  call  out  the  very  tacklings 
of  the  fhip.  How  highly  foever  men  prize  fuch 
commodities*  yet  realon  tells  them,  It  were  better 
thefe  mould  perifh,  than  life.  Satan  himfelf  could 
fay,  Job  i.  Skin  for  /kin,  and  all  that  a  man  halb  will 
he  give  for  his  life. 


APPLICATION. 

And  furely  it  is  every  way  as  highly  reafonable, 
that  men  fhould  mortify,  cafl  out,  and  cut  off  their 
dearefl  lulls,  rather  than  their  immortal  fouls  mould 
fink  and  perifh  in  the  florm  of  God's  wrath.  Life 
indeed,  is  a  precious  treafure,  and  highly  valued  by 
men  :  You  know  what  Solomon  faicb,  Ecclef.  ix.  4. 
That  a  living  dog  is  better  than  a  dead  lion.  And  we 
find  men  willing  to  part  with  their  eftates,  limb-:, 
O 


io6  A  New  Compafs  for  Seamed 

or  any  outward  comfort,  for  the  prefervation  of  it 
The  woman  in  the  gofpel  fpent  all  (he  had  on  the 
phyficians  for  her  health,  a  degree  below  life.  Some 
men  indeed  do  much  overvalue  their  lives,  and  part 
with  Chnft  and  peace  of  confcience  for  it ;  but  he 
that  tnus  faves  it,  (hall  loofe  it.  Now  if  lift  be  fo 
much  worth,  what  then  is  the  foul  worth  ?  Alas  ! 
life  is  but  a  vapour,  which  appear eth  for  a  little 
wbiky  and  then  vanijheth  away,  James  iv'  14, 

Lire  indeed  is  more  worth  than  all  the  world, 
but  my  foul  is  more  worth  than  tenthoufand  lives  - 
Nature  teacheth  you  to  value  the  firft  fo  high,  and 
grace  mould  teach  you  to  value  the  fecond  much 
higher,  Mat.  xix.  26.  Now  here  is  the  cafe  :  either 
you  mud  part  with  your  fins,  or  with  your  fouls  ; 
if  thefe  be  not  caft  out,  both  muft  fink  together  If 
ye  hve  after  the flejh,  yemu/i  d<e,Rom,  viii.  13.  God 
faith  to  you  in  this  ca(e,  as  to  Ahab,  when  he  fpared 
Benhadad,  1  Kings  xx.  42.  "  Becaufe  thou  haft 
kt  go  a  man  which  God  hath  appointed  todcftruc- 
tion,  therefore  thy  life  IhalJ  go  for  his  life."  Guilt- 
will  raife  a  ftorni  of  wrath,  as  Jonah  did,  if  not  caft 
out. 


REFLECTION, 


And  muft  fin  or  the  foul  -pe-rifli  ?  Muft  my  life- 
yea,  my  eternal  life  go  for  it,  if  I  fpare  it  ?  O  then 
let  me  not  be  cruel  to  mine  own  foul,  in  fparing 
my  fin  ;  O  my  loul,  this  fooliih  pity,  and  cruel  in- 
dulgence will  be  thy  ruin.;  If  I  fpare  it,  God  ha  h 
faid,  He  will  not  fpare  me,  t)eut.  xxvi.  20.  It  is  true, 
the  pains  or  mortification  are  (harp,  but  \et  it  is  eafr-- 
er  than  the  pains  of  hell.  To  cut  off  a  r;ght  hand 
or  pluck  out  a  right  eye,  is  hard  ;  but  to  have  mv 


Or  Navigation  Spiritualized.  ioy 

foul  cut  off  eternally  from  God,  is  harder.  Is  it  as 
eafy  (O  my  foul  !)  to  burn  for  them  in  hell,  as  to 
mortify  them  on  earth  ?  Surely,  it  is  "  profitable 
for  me,  that  one  member  perilh,  rather  than  that 
all  be  call  into  hell,"  Mat.  v.  24.  I  fee  the  mer- 
chant willing  to  part  with  rich  wares,  if  embarqued 
with  them  in  a  ftorm  :  And  thofe  that  have  g?.n- 
green'd  legs  or  arms,  willingly  ftretch  them  out  to 
be  cut  off  to  preferve  life :  And  (hail  I  be  willing 
to  endure  no  difficulties  for  my  ioul  ?  Chrift  reck- 
oned fouls  worth  his  blood,  And  is  it  not  worth  my 
felf-denial  ?  Lord,  let  me  not  warm  a  fnake  in  my 
bofom,  that  will  at  lait  fling  me  to  the  heart. 


THE    POEM. 

f  Thy  foul's  the  (hip,  its  lading  is  its  lufts, 

*  God's  judgments  ftormy  winds  and  dang'rous  gufts 

<  Confcience  the  matter  j   but  the  ftubborn  will 
f  Goes  fuprar  cargo,  and  doth  keep  the  bill. 

f  Affections  are  the  men  the  winds  do  rife^ 
1  The  ftorm  increafes  {   confcience  gives  advice, 
\  To  throw  thofe  lufts  o'errboard,  and  fo  to  eafe 

<  The  veficl,  which  elfe  cannot  keep  the  Seas. 
f  The  will  oppofes,and  th'  affections  fay, 

'  The  maftjr's  counfel  they  will  not  obey. 

1  The  cafe  is  dangerous, .that  no  man  can  doubt, 

*  Who  fees  the  ftorm  within,  and  that  without. 

*  Lufts  and  affections  cannot  part,  no,  rather, 
'  They  arc  refolv'd  to  fwim  or  fink  together. 

*  Confcience  ftill  ftrives,  but  they  cannot  abide 

*  Thac  it  or  reafon  fhould  the  c«fe  decide* 


ip$  A  New  Compafs  for  Seame% 

«  Luft  knows  what  reafon  in  like  cafes  ftill 

*  Determines  well :   Then  chufe  ye  whom  ye  will, 

<  ShiH'i  make  the  Devil  judge  ?  This  cafe  has  been 
6  Before  him,  and  he  ijudg'd,  that  /kin  for  fldn, 

<  And  all  men  have,  they'll  part  with  for  their  life 
'  Then  how  unreafonable  is  this  ftrife  ? 

*  They  that  their  fins  do  with  their  perfons  fliip, 

<  Do  for  their  fouls  prepare  a  dreadful  whip. 


CHAR       XX, 


Chrifl  z^ith  a  word  canfurging  waves  appeafe  5 
'His  voice  a  troubled  foul  can  quickly  eaje. 

PBSERV  A  tVo  N. 

j 

WHEN  the  Tea  works,  and  is  tempefluous,  it 
is  not  in  the  power  of  any  creature  to"  ap- 
peals it.  When  the  Egyptians  would  by  their  hie- 
roglyphicks  exprefs  an  impoffibility,  they  did  it  bv 
the  picture  ot  a  man  treading  upon  the  waves.  I( 
IS  ftoried  of  Canute,  an  ancient  Damjh  King,  Thai; 
when  a  mighty  ftorm  of  flattery  arofe  upon  him] 
he  appeafed  it  by  {hewing  that  he  could  Bot  appeafe 
the  lea  :  But  one  of  his  courtiers  told  him,  as  he 
rode  near  the  iea-fide,  That  he  was  lord  of  the  fea, 
as  well  as  land.  Well,  faid  the  king,  we  fhall  fee 
that  by  and  by;  and  lb  went  to  the  water-fide,  and 
With  a  loud  voice  cried,  «  O  ye  leas  and  waves,  come 
f«o  further,  touch  not  my  feet.'  But  the  fea  came 
VP>  notvyithftnnding  that  charge,  and  confuted  rhr 


Or  Navigation  Spiritualized.  109 

flattery.  But  now  Jefus  Chrift  hath  the  command 
pf  them  indeed  :  It  is  faid  of  him,  Mat.  viii.  26. 
That  he  rebuked  them.  And  Mark  iv.  38.  He  qui- 
ets them  with  a  word,  Peace,  be  ftill :  as  one  would 
hufh  a  child,  and  it  obeyed  him. 


APPLICATION 


Confcience,  when  awakened  by  the  terrors  of  the 
Lord,  is  like  a  raging  tempeftuous  fea  ;  fo  it  works, 
io  it  roars ;  and  it  is  not  in  the  power  of  all 
creatures  to  hum  or  quiet  it.  Spiritual  terrors,  as 
well  as  fpiritual  confolations3  are  not  known  till  felt. 
O  when  the  arrows  of  the  Almighty  are  fhot  into 
the  fpirit,  and  the  terrors  of  God  fet  themfelves  in 
array  againft  the  foul ;  when  the  venom  of  thofe 
arrows  drink  up  the  fpirits,  and  thofe  armies  of  ter- 
rors charge  violently  and  fucceffively  upon  it,  as 
Job  vi.  4.  What  creature  then  is  able  to  ftand  be- 
fore them  1  Even  God's  own  dear  children  have 
felt  fuch  terrors,  as  have  diflfacled  them,  Pfal.  Ixxxi, 
15.  Confcience  is  the  feat  of  guilt.  It  is  like  a 
burniqg  glafs,  fo  it  contracts  the  beams  of  the 
threatnings,  twills  them  together,  and  reflects  them 
on  the  foul,  until  it  fmoke,  icorch,  and  flame.  If 
the  wrath  of  a  king  be  like  the  roaring  of  a  lion. 
then  what  is  the  Almighty's  wrath  !  which  is  burn- 
ing wrath,  Job  xix.  1 1 .  Tearing  wrath,  Pfal.  1.  22, 
Surprizing  wrath,  Job  xx.  23-.  And  Abiding  wro'^. 
Job  iji.  36. 

In  this  cafe  no  creature  can  relieve,  all  are  phyfi- 
cians  of  no  value  ;  fome  under  thefe  terrors,  have 
thought  hell  more  tolerable,  and  by  a  violent  hand 
have  thruft  themfelves  out  okthe  world  into  it,  tq 


jio  A  New  Cotnpap  for  Stamen 

avoid  thefegnawmgs;  Ye;  Jefus  Chrift  can  quickly- 
calm  theie  mvftkal  waves  r.Ko,  and  hufh  them  with 
a  word  ;  y  a  he  is  the  Fiiyficig*),  and  no  other.  It 
is  the  fpnnkhng  of  his  bl-^d,  whi'.  h,  like  a  cooling 
fomentation,  allays  thole  heats  within  ;  That  blood 
of  sprinkling  (peaks  peace,  when  all  others  have 
praclifed  up  n  the  foul  to  no  purpofe  ;  and  the  rea? 
fon  is,  becaufe  he  is  a  perfon  in  whom  God  and 
man,  juftice  and  mercy  meet,  and  kifs  each  other, 
Eph.  ii.  14.  And  hence  faith  fetches  in  peace  to  the 
foul;  Rom.  v.  1.  ■ ' 


REFLECTION, 


Can  none  appeafe  a  troubled  confeience,  but 
Chrift  I  Then  learn,  O  my  foul,  to  underftand  and 
.daily  more  and  more  to  favour  that  glorious  name, 
even  Je  us,  that  delivers  not  ofily  from  the  wrath  to 
come,  but  that  which  is  felt  here  alio.  Oh  if  the 
foretafte  of  hell  be  fa  intolerable,  if  a  few  drops  let 
fall  on  the  confeience  in  this  life,  befo  fcaldingand 
uafiifferable  ;  what  is  it  to  have  all  the  vials  poured 
out  to  eternity,  when,  there  fhail  be  nothing  to  di- 
vert, mitigate,  or  allay  it  ? 

Here  men  have  fomewhat  to  abate  thofe  terrors, 
feme  hoj.es  of  me  cy,  at  ieaft  a  p  -ffibility  ;  but 
there,  there  is  none.  O  mv  foul  !  how  art  tHou 
loaded  with  guilt  !  and  what  a  Magomnjj'abib  w.  uldfl 
thou  be,  fhould  God  rouze  that  fleepy  lion  in  thy 
bofom  !  My  condition  is  not  at  all  the  better,  be- 
caufe my  confeience  is  quiet.  Ah,  the  day  is  com- 
ing, when  it  muff  awake,  and  will  lighten  and  thun- 
der terribly  within  me,  if  1  get  not  into  Chrift  the 
(boner,     O  Lord,  who  knows   the  power  of  thy 


Or  Navigation  Spiritualized, 


lit 


wrath  ?  O  let  me  not  carry  this  guilt  out  of  the 
world  with  me,  to  maintain  thofe  e'verlafting  flames  ? 
\ci  me  give  no  fleep  to  mine  eyes,  nor  flumber  to 
my  eve-lids,  till  I  feel  the  comfort  of  that  blood  of 
fprinkling,  which  alone  fpeaketh  peace. 


THE     POEM. 


*  Among  the  dreadful  works  of  God,  I  find 

*  No  metaphors,  to  paint  a  troubled  mind. 

•'♦•I  think  on  this,  now  that,  and  yet  will  neither 

*  Come  fully  up,  though  all  be  put  together. 

*  'Tis  like  the  raging  fea,  that  cafts  up  mire, 

*  Or  like  to  Etna,  breathing  fmeke  and  fire  5 

*  Or  like  a  rouzed  lion  fierce  and  fell^ 

*  Or  like  thofe  furies  that  do  howl  in  hell. 

1  O  confeience  !   Wbo  can  ftand  before  thy  power, 

*  Endure  thy  gripes  and  twinges  but  an  hour  ? 

*  Stone,-  gout,  ftrapado,  racks,  whatever  is 

*  Dreadful  to  fenfe;  is  but  a  toy  to  this. 

*  No  pleafures,  riches,  honours,  friends  can  tell 
s  How  to  give  eafe  :  in  this  'tis  like  to  hell. 

'  Call  for  the  pleafant  timbrel,  lute,-  and  harp  $ 
'  Alas  !   the  mufick  howls  j  the  pain's  too  fliarp 

*  For  thefe  to  charm,  divert  or  lull  afleep  : 

*  Thefe  cannot  reach  it  $   no,  the  wound's  too  deep. 

*  Let  all  the  promifes  before  him  (land, 

*  And  fet  a  Barnabas  at  its  right-hand  j 

1  Thefe  in  themfclves  no  comfort  can  afford, 

*  'Tis  Chriit,  &  none  but  Chrift,  ca;  fpeafc  the  we\  1 
«  And  he  no  fooner  fpeaks,  bur  al' 

'The  ftorm  is  over,  and  the  mi. 


112  A  Neiv   Cbntpajs  for  Seamen 

(  There  gees  a  power  with  his  majeftick.  voice, 
■  To  hufli  the  dreadful  ftorm,  and  ftill  its  noife. 
«  Who  would  not  fear  and  love  this  glorious  Lord, 
*  That  can  rebuke  fuch  tempefts  with  a  word  ? 


G    H    A    P.      XXL 


Our  food  out  of  the  Sea  God  doth  command; 
Yet  jew  therein  take  notice  of  his  hand. 

OBSERVATION. 

THE  providence  of  God  in  furnifhing  u5  with 
fuch  plenty  and  variety  of  fifli,  is  notflightly 
to  be  pail  over.  Wc  have  not  only  feveral  forts  of 
fifh  in  our  own  feas,  which  are  caught  in  their  fea- 
fons  5  but  from  feveral  parts,  efpecially  the  weftern 
parts  of  England,  many  fail  of  fhips  are  fent  yearly 
to  the  American  parts  of  the  world  ;  as  New-found- 
land,  New- England,  &c.  Whence  every  year  is 
brought  home,  not  only  enough  to  fupply  our  own 
nation,  but  many  thoufand  pounds  worth  alfo  year- 
ly returned  from  Spain,  and  other  countries  ;  by 
which  trade  many  thoufand  families  do  iubfift. 

APPLICATION. 

But,  now,  what  returns  do  we  make  to  heaven 
for  thele  mercies  ?  O  what  notice  is  taken  of  the 
good  hand  of  providence,  which  thus  fupplies  and 


dr    Navigation  Spiritualized*  tij 

feeds  us  with  the  bleffings  of  the  fea  ?  I  fear  there 
are  but  few  that  own,  or  act  in  fubmiffion  to  it,  and 
are  careful  to  return  according  to  received  benefit. 
Men  do  not  confider,  cf  That  their  works  are  in 
the  hand  of  God,"  Ecclef.  ix.  i.  And  even  thofe 
that  have  the  mofl  immediate  dependence  upon 
providence,  as  merchants  and  feamen,  yet  are  ve- 
ry prone  to  undertake  defigns  in  the  confidence  of 
their  own  wifdom  and  induftry*  not  ^looking  high- 
er for  the  bluffing,  James  iv.  13.  They  often  "  fit- 
crifice  to  their  own  net,  and  burn  incenfe  to  theitf 
drag,  becaule  by  them  their  portion  is  fat  and  their 
meat  plenteous,"  Hab.  i.  16.  viz.  They  attri- 
bute what  is  due  to  God,  unto  the  creature.  Now 
this  is  a  fin  highly  provoking  to  the  Lord  :  for 
look  in  what  degree  the  heart  cleaves  to  the  fecond 
caufe,  in  the  fame  degree  it  departs  from  the  living 
God,  Jet,  x>  £» 

And  how  do  you  think  the  blefTed  God  will  take 
it,  to  fee  himfelf  thus  debafed,  and  the  creature 
thus  exalted  into  his  place,  to  fee  you  curry  your- 
felves  to  the  creature  as  to  a  God,  and  to  the  blef- 
ied  God,  as  to  a  creature.  Surely,  it  is  a  great  and 
common  evil  and  fuch  as  will  blaftall,  if  not  timely 
dilcovered  and  lamented.  If  we  make  rleih  our 
arm,  it's  juft  with  God  to  wither  and  dry  Up  that 
arm.  Do  we  not,  my  brethren,  look  upon  fecond 
caufes,  as  if  they  had  the  main  flroke  in  our  bufi- 
nefs  ?  And  with  a  neglective  eye  pals  by  God,  as 
as  if  he  came  in  but  collaterally,  and  on  the  by,  fti* 
to  it  P  But  certainly,  all  endeavours  will  be  Unfanc- 
tified,  if  not  fucceisiefs,  in  which  God  is  not  eyed 
and  engaged. 

"  It  is  in  vain  for  you  to  rife  up  early,  and  fit  up 
late,  and  eat  the  bread  cf  furrows  -,  for  io  he  giveth 
P 


H4  A  New  Cofnpafs  for  Seamen 

his  beloved  fleep,"  Pl'al,  cxxvii.  2.  (i.e.)  It  it  fo 
no  purpofe  for  men  to  beat  their  brains,  tire  their 
lpints  and  crack  their  coniciences  for  an  eftate- 
:rue  way  pf  acquiring  and  enjoying  tht  crea- 
ture, is  by  fubrmtting  quietlv  to  the  will  of  God, 
in  a  r  lc]ent  and  dihgeat,  yet  moderate  ufe  of  law- 
ful mean, :    Nothing  can  thrive  with  us  till  then. 


REFLECTION. 


Why  then  (hould  T  difquief  rnyfelf  in  Vain  ;  and 
rob  rnyfelf  of  my  peace,  by  thefe  unbelieving  cares 
*nd  diltradions  ?    )  this  hath  been  my  fin  I  I  have 
acted,  as  if  my  condition  had  been  at  my  own  dif- 
pofe;  1  have  eye  1  creatures  and  means  too  much, 
and  God  too  little.       How  have  my  hands  hanged 
down  with   diicouragement,   when   fecond  caufes 
have  disappeared,  or  wrought  erois   to  my  defigns 
in   the   world,  ready  to  transfer  the  fault  on   this 
thing,  or  that  !    and  again,  how  apt  am  I  to  be 
vainiy  lifted  up  in  carnal  confidence,  when  I  fee 
rnyfelf  competently  furnifhed  with  creature  muni- 
tion and  provifion  ?  Oh,   what   a  God-provoking 
wickednefs   is   this!    How    oft   hath   providence 
checked  my  carnal  preemption,  aixl  dalhcd  many 
hopeful  projeds  I   yet  have  I  not  owrted  it,  as  I 
ought,  and  Submitted  to  it.      Oh,  it  is  a  wonder 
this  hath  not  clofed  the  hand  of  Providence  againft 
me,  and  pulled  down  a  curfe  upon  all  1  Ah  Lord, 
let  me  now  learn  to  "  acquaint  rnyfelf  with  thee, 
then  (hall  I  decree  a  thing,  and  it  (hall  be  cftab- 
kfocd,"  Job  xx,  28. 


Or  Navigation  Spirittmliztd.  n-£ 


THE    POEM. 


*  In  all  the  gifts  of  God  we  mould  advance 

4  His  glorious  name  ;  not  fay,  it  came  by  chance. 

«  Or  to  the  idol  of  our  prudence  pay 

«  The  tribute  of  his  praife,  and  go  our  way. 

«  The  waves  do  clap  thtir  hands,  and  in  their  kind 

*  Acknowledge  God  ;  and  what,  are  they  more  blind 
'  That  float  upon  them  ?  yea,  for  what  they  fetf 

*  They  offer  facrifices  to  their  net. 

«  This  is  your  manner,  thus  to  work  you  go  t 
•Confefs  the  naked  truth;  fay,is't  notfo? 

•  This  net  was  wifely  caft,  'tis  full,  'tis  full  s 
«  O  well  done  mates,  this  is  a  gallant  pull. 

•  Thus  what  is  due  to  God,  you  do  apply 
<  Unto  yourfelves  moft  facrilegiouflly. 

«  I  cannot  wander  fuch  come  empty  heme, 
«  That  are  fo  full  of  felf  and  fin  :  yet  fome 

*  I  hope  look  higher,  and  on  God  reflect 

•  Due  praife.     A  blefling  fuch  may  well  expecV* 


CHAP.       XXII. 

JVhilfi  thou  h  art  the filly  fijh  doft  kill, 
Perchance  the  DeviVs  bookjlicks  in  thy  gill. 


T 


OBSERVATION.. 

HERE  is  {kill  in  fifhing  ;  they  that  go  to  fea 
ir>  a  filhing  voyage,  ufe  to  go  provided  with 


n6  A  New  Cmpafs  for  Seamen 

their  craft  (as  they  very  fitly  call  it)  without  which 
they  can  do  nothing.  They  have  their  lines,  hooks 
of  ieveral  fizes,  and  their  bait.  They  carefully  ob- 
ferve  their  feafons ;  when  the  fiih  falls  in,  then  they 
ply  their  bufinefs  day  and  night. 


4  P P  L  I  C  A  r  1  O  N, 


But  how  much  more  fkiiful  and  indubious  is 
Satan  to  enfnare  and  deftroy  iouls  ?  The  devil 
makes  a  voyage  as  well  as  you  ;  he  hath  his  baits 
for  you,  as  you  for  the  ri(h  :  he  hath  his  devices  and 
wiles  to  catch  fouls,  i  Cor.  ii.  n,  Ephcf.  vi.  n, 
He  is  a  ferpant,  an  old  ferpant.,  Rev.  xii.  9,  Too 
crafty  for  man  in  his  perfection,  much  more  in  his 
collapfed  and  degenerated  (late,  his  underftan J ing 
being  cracked  by  the  fall,  and  all  his  faculties  poif, 
oned  and  perverted. 

Divines  obferve  foyr  fteps,  or  degrees  of  Satan's 
tempting  power, 

Fir/I,  He  can  find  out  the  conflitution-evils  of 
men  ;  he  knows  to  what  (in  their  natures  are  more 
eipeaaLy  prone  and  inclinable. 

SecomLy,  He  can  propound  fuitable  objects  to 
thoie  lulls,  he  can  exactly  and  fully  hit  every  mans 
humour.  A:;  Agnppinq  mixed  her  poifon  in  that 
meat  her  hufband  loved  beft. 

Thirdly,  He  can  inject  and  can:  motions  into  the 
mind,  to  clofe  with  thoie  tempting  objecls ;  as  it  is 
laid  of  Judas,  John  xni.  2.  "  Trie  devil  nut  it  into 
his  heart." 

Fourthly,  He  can  follicite,  irritate,  and  provoke 
the  heart,  and  by  thoie  continual  reiUeis  felicita- 
tions weary  i.t  ;  and  hereby  he  often  draws  men  to 


Or   Navigation   Spiritualized.  117 

commit  fuch  things  as  ftartled  them  in  the  firft  mo- 
tion. 

All  this  can  he  do,  if  he  find  the  work  flick,  and 
meet  with  rubs  and  difficulties  ;  yet  doth  he  not 
act  to  the  utmoft  of  his  fkill  and  power,  at  all  times 
and  with  all  perfons  ;  neither  indeed  need  he  lo  to 
do,  the  very  propounding  of  an  object,  is  enough  to 
fome,  without  any  further  follicitation  :  The  devil 
makes  an  eafy  conquefl  of  them. 

And  befide  all  this,  his  policy  much  appears  in 
the  election  of  place,  time  and  inftruments  to  tempt 
by  :  And  thus  are  poor  fouls  caught,  as  fifhes  in  an 
evil  net,  Ecclef.  ix.  12.  The  carnal  man  is  led  by 
fenfe,  as  the  beaft  ;  and  fatan  handles  and  fits  him 
accordingly.  He  ufeth  all  forts  of  motives,  not  on- 
ly internal,  and  intellective,  but  external  and  fenfi- 
tive  alio  ;  as  the  fparkling  of  the  wine,  when  it  gives 
its  colour  in  the  glafs  :  the  harlot's  beauty,  whofe 
eye-lids  are  inares  ;  hiding  always  the  hook,  and 
Concealing  the  iflue  from  them.  Hepromifes  them 
gain  and  profit,  pleafure  and  delight,  and  all  that 
is  tempting,  with  arTurance  of  fecrefy.  By  thefe  he 
fattens  the  fatal  hook  in  their  jaws,  and  thus  th«y 
are  led  captive  by  him  at  his  will. 


REFLECTION. 


And  is  fatan  fo  fubtle  and  induflrious  to  entice 
fouls  to  fin  ?  doth  he  thus  caft  out  his  golden  baits, 
and  allure  fouls  with  pleafure  to  their  ruin  ?  Then 
how  doth  it  behove  thee,  O  my  foul,  to  be  jealous 
an  J  wary  !  How  flrict  a  guard  fhould  I  let  upon 
every  fenfe  !  Ah,  let  me  not  fo  much  regard  how 
fin  comes  towards  me  in  the  temptation,  as  how  it 


n8  A  New  Compajs  for  Seamen 

goes  off  at  laft.  The  day  in  which  Sodom  was  do 
ftroyed,  began  with  a  pleaiant  Sun-fhine,  but  ended 
in  fire  and  brimftone.  I  may  promife  myfelf  much 
content  in  the  (atisfa&ion  of  my  lufts :  But  O,  how 
certainly  will  it  end  »n  my  ruin  !  Ahab  doubtlefs 
promifed  himfelf  much  content  in  the  vineyard  of 
Naboth,  but  his  blood  paid  for  it  in  the  portion  of 
Jezreel.  The  harlot's  bed  was  perfumed  to  entice 
the  iimple  young  man,  Prov.  vii.  17.  But  thofe 
chambers  of  delight  proved  the  chambers  of  death, 
and  her  houfe  the  way  to  hell.  Ah,  with  what  a 
failing  face  doth  fin  come  on  towards  me  in  it£ 
temptations  !  how  doth  it  tickle  the  carnal  fancy, 
and  pleafe  the  deceived  heart  ?  But  what  a  dread- 
ful cataftrophe  and  upfhot  hath  it  ?  The  delight  is 
quickly  gone,  but  the  guilt  thereof  remains  to  a» 
maze  and  terrify  the  foul  with  ghaftly  forms,  and 
dreadful  reprelentations  of  the  wrath  of  God  :  As 
fin  hath  its  delights  attending  it  to  enter  and  fallen 
it,  lb  it  hath  its  horrors  and  flings  to  torment  and 
wound  :  And  as  certainly  as  1  fee  thofe  go  before  it 
to  make  away,  fo  certainly  fhall  I  find  thefe  follow 
after,  and  tread  upon  its  heels.  No  fooner  is  the 
confeience  awakened,  but  all  tbofe  delights  vanifli 
as  a  night-  vifion,  or  as  a  dream  when  one  awakes  ; 
and  then  I  (hail  cry,  here  is  the  iook,  but  where  is 
the  bait  ?  Here  is  the  guilt  and  horror,  but  where 
the  delight  that  I  was  promifed  !  And  I,  whither 
fhall  I  now  go  ?  Ah  my  deceitful  lufts  !  You  have 
enticed  and  left  me  in  the  midll  of  all  miferies, 


Or  Navigation  Spiritualized.  jiy 


THE    POEM. 

«  There's  flcill  in  fifhing,  that  the  devil  knows  ; 

««  For  When  for  fouls  Satan  a  fifhing  goes, 

•«  He  angels  cunningly  :  He  knows  he  muft 

««  Exactly  fit  the  bait  unto  the  luft. 

«  He  ftudies  conftitution,  place,  and  time, 

««  He  gueffes  what  is  his  delight,  what  thine  j 

««  And  fo  accordingly  prepares  the  bait ; 

•«  Whilft  he  himfelflies  clofely  hid  to  wait 

««  When  thou  wilt  nibble  at  it.     Doft  incline 

•'  To  drunken  meetings  }  then  he  baits  with  whs; 

*«  Is  this  his  way  ;  if  unto  this  he'll  fmell, 

<c  He'll  fhortly  pledge  a  cup  of  wrath  in  hell. 

"  To  pride  or  luft  is  thy  nature  bent  ? 

**  An  object  fuitable  he  will  prefenr. 

**  O  think  on  this,  when  you  caft  In  the  hook* 

*«  Say,  Thus  for  m>  poor  foul  doth  Satan  look- 

**  O  play  not  with  temptations  ;  do  not  fwallow 

*'  The  fugar'd  bait,  confider  what  will  follow. 

*'  If  once  he  hitch  thee,  then  away  he  draws 

"  Thy  captive  foul  clofe  pn'foner  in  his  paws. 


CHAP.    XXIIL 

Doth  trading  fail,  and  voyages  prove  bad  * 
If  you  cannot  difcern  the  caufe,  'tis  fad. 

OBSERVATION. 

THERE  are  many  fad  complaints  abroad  (and 
I  think  not  without  caufe)  that  trade  iails, 


120  A  New  Compafs  for  Seamen 

nothing  turns  to  account.  And  though  all  countries 
be  open,  and  free  for  traflick,  and  a  general  peace 
with  all  nations,  yet  there  feems  to  be  a  dearth,  a 
iecret  curfe  upon  trading.  You  ran  from  country 
to  country,  and  come  loiers  home.  Men  can  hard- 
ly render  a  reafon  for  it  -,  few  hit  the  right  caufe  of 
this  judgment. 


APPLICATION. 


That  profperity  and  fuccefs  in  trade  is  from  the 
blefling  of  God,  I  fuppofe  few  are  fo  atheiflical,  as 
once  to  deny  or  queftion.  The  devil  himlelf  ac- 
knowledges it,  Job  i.  10.  "  Thou  haft  blefled  the 
work  of  his  hands,  and  his  fubflance  is  increafed  in 
the  land."  It  is  not  in  the  power  of  any  man  to 
get  riches,  Deut.  viii.  18.  "  Thou  (halt  remember 
the  Lord  thy  God,  for  it  is  he  that  giveth  thee  pow- 
erto  get  wealth."  It  is  his  blefling  that  makes  good 
men  rich,  and  his  permifiion  that  makes  wicked 
men  rich.  That  maxim  came  from  hell,  Qui/que 
fortiinafucefaber  :  Every  man  is  the  contriver  of  his 
own  condition  :  certainly,  "  The  good  of  man  is 
not  in  his  own  hand,"  Job  xxi.  16.  "Promotion 
cometh  not  from  the  eaft  or  weft,"  Pfal.  lxxv.  6. 

This  being  acknowledged,  it  is  evident,  that  in 
all  diiappointment,  and  want  of  iuccels  in  our  call- 
ings, we  ought  not  to  flick  in  fecond  caufes,  but  to 
look  higher,  even  to  thC  hand  and  diipofe  of  God  : 
For,  whole  it  is  to  give  the.bleiTinp,  his  alfo  it  is  to 
withhold  it.  And  this  is  as  clear  in  knpture  as  the 
other.  It  is  the  Lord  that  takes  away  the  rimes  of 
the  fea,  Hof.  iv.  3.  Zeph.  i.  3.  It  is  he  that  cwjelh 
our  bldEnzu  Mai.  ii.  2. 


Or  Navigation  Spiritualized.  Ill 

*This  God  doth  as  a  punifhment  for  fin,  and  the 
abufe  for  mercies :  And  therefore  in  fuch  cafes,  we 
ought  not  to  reft  in  general  complaints  to,  or  of  one 
another*  but  fearch  what  thole  fins  are  that  provoke 
the  Lord  to  inflict  fuch  judgments* 

And  here  I  muft  requeft  your  patience,  to  bear 
a  plain  and  clofe  word  of  conviction.  My  brethren, 
I  am  perfuaded  thefe  are  the  fins,  among  many  oth- 
ers, that  provoke  the  Lord  to  blaft  all  your  imploy- 
ments. 

i  *  Our  undertaking  defigns  without  prayer.  Alas, 
how  few  of  us  begin  with  God  ?  Intereft  him  in  our 
dealings,  and  afk  counfel  and  direction  at  his  mouth, 
frayer  is  that  which  fanctifies  all  employments  and 
enjoyments,  i  Tim.  iv.  5.  The  very  heathen  could 
fay,  A  Jove  principium.  They  muft  begin  with  God„ 
O  that  we  had  more  prayers  and  fewer  oaths. 

2.  Injuftice  and  fraud  in  our  dealings.  A  fin  to 
which  merchants  are  prone,  as  appears  by  that  ex- 
preflion,  Hot  xii.  7.  This  is  that  which  will  blaft 
all  our  enjoyments* 

3.  An  over-earneit  endeavour  after  the  world, 
Men  make  this  their  bufinefs,  they  will  be  rich  t 
And  hence  it  is,  they  are  not  only  unmerciful  to 
themfelves,  in  wearying  and  wafting  their  own  fpir- 
its  with  carking  cares,  but  to  Rich  alfo  as  they  cm- 
£loy  ;  neither  regarding  the  fouls  or  bodies  of  men  : 
icaree  affording  them  the  liberty  of  the  Lord's  day 
(as  hath  been  too  common  in  our  New -found- Land 
employments ;)  or  if  they  have  if,  yet  th^y  are  fo 
worn  out  with  inceflant  labours*  that  that  precious 
time  is  fpent  either  in  fleep  or  idlenefs.  It  is  no 
wonder  God  gives  you  more  reft  than  you  would 
have,  fince  that  day  of  reft  hath  been  no  better  im- 
proved. This  over-doing  hath  not  been  the  leaft 
Cauie  of  our  Undoing. 

0. 


ill  A  New  Compqfs  for  SeamM 

Laftly,  Our  abufe  of  profperity,  when  God  gave 
it ;  making  God's  mercies  the  food  and  fewel  of 
our  tufts.  When  we  have  an  affluence  and  conflu- 
ence of  outward  bleffings,  this  made  us  kick  againjt 
God,  as  Dctit  xxxiii.  15.  Forget  God,  Deut.  iv.  14. 
Yea,  grow  proud  of  our  ftrength  and  riches,  Ezek, 
xvi.  13.  and  Jer.  ii.31.  Ah  !  How  few  of  us  in  the 
days  of  our  profperity,  behaved  ourfelves  as  good 
Jehojapkat  did  ?  2  Chron.  xvii.  5,6.  "  He  had  fil- 
yer  and  gold  in  abundance,  and  his  heart  was  lifted 
in  the  way  of  God's  commandments  j  not  in  pride 
and  inlulence. 


Reflection. 


Are  thefe  the  fins  thai  blaft  our  bleffings,  and 
wither  our  mercies  !    O  then  let  me  ceaie  to  won 
dcr  it  is  no  becter,  and   rather  admire  that  it  is  no 
worfe  with  me  ;  that  my  negte&of  prayer,  injuftice 
in  dealings,  eartbly-mindednefs,  and  abufe  ol  former 
mercies,  have  not  provoked  God  to  itrip  me  naked 
of  all    my    enjoyments.      Let   me  humbly  accept 
from         Lord  thepunilhmentofmy  iniquities,  and 
by  m)   hand  upon  my  mouth.     And  O  that  thefe 
dilkppbii  tttri  .-nts  might  convince  me  of  the  creatures 
vanity,  and  caufe  me  to  drive  on  another  trade  for 
heaven  ;  then  fhall  I  adore  thy  wifdom  in  rending 
from- liie   thofe    idolized   enjoyments.     Ah,  Lord) 
when  I  had  them,  my  heart  was  a  perpetual  drudge 
to  them      How  did  I  then  forget  God,  neglecl  my 
duty  and  not  mind  my  eternal  concernments  !  Oh,  if 
thefe  had  not  perimed,  in  all  probability  I  had  per- 
ilhed.     My  God,  let  my  foul  profper,  and  then  a 
finall  portion  of  theie  things  (hall  afford  me  more 


Or  Navigation  Spiritualized,  123 

comfort  than  ever  I  had  in  their  greateft  abundance. 
■"  A  little  that  a  righteous  man  hath,  is  better  than 
the  riches  of  many  wicked,"  Pfal.  xxxvii.  16. 


THE     POEM. 


tf  There's  great  complaint  abroad  that  trading's  bad 

f<  You  (hake  your  head,  and  cry,  'Tis  fad, 'tis  fad, 

«  Merchants  lay  cut  their  flock,  feamen  their  pains, 

«<  And  in  their  eye  they  both  may  put  their  gains. 

"  Your  nfliing  fails,  you  wonder  why  'tis  to, 

"  'Tis  this  (faith  one)  or  that :   but  I  fay  no  ; 

*l  'Twill  ne'er  be  well  till,  you  confefs  and  fay, 

f  It  is  our  fin  that  frights  the  fifh  away: 

*'  No  wonder  all  goes  into  bags  with  holes, 

<c  Since  fo  the  gofpel  hath  been  in  your  fouls. 

"  We  kick'd,  like  Jefu/un,  when  the  flowing  tide 

*f  Of  wealth  came  tumbling  in,  this  nourifh'd  pride 

**  'Twixt  foul  and  body,  now  I  wifh  it  may 

.'*  Fare  as  betwixt  the  Jews  and  us  this  day. 

ff  O  that  our  outward  want  and  lofs  may  be 

"  To  us  a  foul  enriching  poverty  ! 

"  If  difappointments  here,  advance  the  trade 

i  '•  For  heaven,  then  complain  not  ;  you  have  mack; 

"  The  richeft  voyage,  and  vour  empty  fnino 

ff  Return  deco  laden  with   foul  benefit?. u 


M4  A  Nezv   Compajs  for  Si  amen 


CHAP.      XXIV. 

Infeas  the  greater  fifh  the  hfs  devour  : 

So  [ome  men  cruJJj  all  ibefe  within  their  power, 

OBSERVATION. 

THERE  are  fifoes  of  prey  in  the  fea,  as  well  as, 
birds  and  beafts  of  prey  on  the  land.  Our 
ieamen  tell  us,  how  the  devouring  whales,  '(harks, 
dolphins,  and  other  rimes  fpllpw  the  caplein,  and 
other  fmaller  fifh,  and  devour  multitudes  of  them. 
It  is  frequent  with  us,  in  pur  own  feas,  to  find  fed- 
eral fmaller  fifhes  in  the  bellies  of  the  greater  ones  i 
yea  I  have  often  heard  feamen  fay,  That  the  poor 
little  fry,  when  purlued,  are  fo  fenfible  of  the  dan- 
ger, that  they  have  fometimes  feen  multitudes  ot 
them  cafl  themfelves  upon  the  moar,  and  perifli 
there,  to  avoid  the  danger  of  being  devoured  by 
them.  to       .  r 

stPPLlCJ'flON. 

Thus  cruel,  mercilefs,  and  oppreffive  are  wickecj 
men,  whofe  tender  mercies  are  cruelly,  Prov.  xxii.  10. 
We  fee  the  like  cruelty  in  our  extortioners,' and 
over  reaching  marks  a  more,  who  grind  the  faces  of 
the  poor,  and  regard  not  the  cries  of  the  fatherlefs 
and  widows,  but  rill  their  houfes  with  the  gain  of 
oppreflion.  Thcfc  are,  by  the  holy  Ghoft,  compar- 
ed to  the  tithes  of  the  fci,  Hab.  i.  13,  14.  This 
is  a  crying  tin,  yea,  it  fends  up  a  loud  cry  to  heaven. 


Or  Navigation  Spiritualized,  125 

for  vengeance,  Exod.  xxii.  23.  "  If  thou  afRId  the 
widow  and  the  fatherlefs,  and  they  cry  unto  me,  I 
will  furely  hear  their  cry."  And  verfe  27.  "I  will 
hear  his  cry,  for  I  am  gracious.  Nay,  God  will 
not  only  hear  their  cry,  but  avenge  their  quarrel. 
That  is  a  remarkable  text,  1  Thef.  iv.  6.  <f  That 
no  man  go  beyond  and  defraud  his  brother  in  any 

matter,  becaufe  that  the  Lord  is  the 
Ecdicos.         (Avenger)  of  all  fuch,"     This  word  is 

but  once  more  ufed  in  the  New~7ejta- 
tnenty  Rom.  xiii.  4.  And  there  it  is  applied  to  the 
civil  magiftrate,  who  is  to  fee  execution  done  upon 
offender.  But  now  this  is  a  fin  that  fometimes 
may  be  out  of  the  reach  of  man's  juftice,  &  therefore 
God  hirnfelf  wilj  be  their  Avenger.  You  may  over- 
power the  poor  in  this  world,  and  it  may  be  they 
cannot  contend  with  you  at  man's  bar,  therefore 
God  will  bring  it  before  his  bar,     , 

Believe  it?  firs,  it  is  a  fin  fo  provoking  to  God, 
that  he  will  not  let  it  efcape  without  fevere  punifh- 
ment,  looner  or  later.  The  prophet  Habakkuk, 
Chap.  1.  verfe  I3r  wondered  how  the  holy  God 
could  forbear  fuch  till  the  general  day  of  reckoning 
and  that  he  did  not  take  exemplary  vengeance  qn 
them  in  this  life.  <<  Thou  art  of  purer  eyes  than  to 
behQld  evil,  and  canft  not  look  upon  iniquity  • 
Wherefore  then  looked  thou  upon  them  that  deal 
treacherously,  and  hojdeft  thy  tongue  when  the 
wicked  devours  the  man  that  is  more  righteous  than 

;ie  n  wqd /'°y- ,XxiiL  IO>  n-  "  Enter  not  into 
the  fields  of  the  fatherlefs,  /.  e."  Of  the  poor  and 
fielplels.  But  why  is  it  more  dangerous  violently  to 
invade  their  right,  than  anoihers  ?  The  reafon  is 
added  "For  their  Redeemer  is  mighty,  and  he 
fhall  plead  their  caufe  with  thee."    It  may  be  they 


iz6  A  Nezv  Compafs  for  Seamen 

are  not  able  to  obtain  a  council  to  plead  their  caufe 
here  ;  therefore  God  will  pjead  their  caule  for 
them. 

REFLECTION. 

Turn  in  upon  thyfeli  (O  my  foul)  and  confider^ 
haft  thou  not  been  guilty  of  this  crying  fin  ?  Have 
I  not  (when  a  fervant)  over-reached  and  defrauded 
others,  and  filled  my  mailer's  houfe  with  violence 
and  deceit  ?  and  fo  brought  myfelf  under  that 
dread tul  threatening,  Zeph.  i.  9.  Or  iince  I  came 
to  trade  and  deal  upon  my  own  account,  have  not 
the  bailances  of  deceit  been  in  my  hand  ?  I  have  (it 
may  be)  kept  many  in  my  fervice  and  employment  5 
have  not  I  ufed  their  labours  without  reward,  and 
fo  am  under  that  woe  ?  Jer.  xxii.  13.  Or  not  giv- 
en them  wages  proportionable  to  their  work  ?  Ifai. 
lviii.  3.  Or  by  pad  payment  and  unjuft  deductions 
and  allowances  defrauded  them  of  a  part  of  their 
due?  Mai.  iii.  5.  Or  at  leaft  delayed  payment, 
out  of  a  covetous  difpofiticn  to  gain  by  it  ;  whilft 
their  neceffities  in  the  mean  time  cryed  aloud  for  it ; 
and  lb  finned  againft  God's  exprefs  commands, 
Deut.  xxiv.  14,  15.  Levit.  xix.  30,  Or  have  I  not 
perfecuted  fueh  as  God  hath  fmitten  ?  Pfal.  lxix. 
z6.  And  rigoroufly  exacled  the  utmoft  of  my 
due,  though  the  hand  of  God  hath  gone  out  againft 
them,  breaking  their  ethics  ?  O  my  foul,  examine 
thyieif  iipefi  'theft  particulars ;  reft  not  quiet,  until 
this  guilt  be  removed  by  the  application  of  the 
blood  of  fprikling.  Hath  not  the*  Lord  laid,  James 
ii.  13.  "  That  they  fhah  have  judgment  without 
mercy,  that  hath  mewed  no  mercy  ?  And  is  it  not 
a  fearful  thing  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  living 
God,  zvho  hath  jaul,  He  will  take  vengeanec  for 
theie  tilings  ? 


Or  Navigation  Spiritualized.  127 


THE    POEM^ 


"  Devouring  whales  ana*  ravenous  marks  do  follow 

"  The  leffer  fry,  and  at  one  gulp  do  fwallow 

*'  Some  hundreds  of  them,  as  our  feamen  fay  ; 

"  But  we  can  tell  far  Arranger  things  than  they. 

M  For  we  have  marks  a(hore,  on  every  creek, 

11  That  to  devour  poor  men  do  hunt  and  feek. 

"  NTo  pity,  fenfe,  or  bowels  in  them  be, 

*'  Nay,  have  they  not  put  off  humanity  ? 

"  Extortioners  and  cheaters,  whom  God  hates* 

"  Have  dreadful  open  mouths,  and  through  thofe  gate? 

M  Brave  perfons  with  their  heritages  pafs 

Ci  In  funeral  ftate,  friends  crying  Out  alas  ! 

"  O  give  me  Jgur's  wifli,  that  I  may  never 

"  Be  fuch  myfclf,  or  feel  the  hands  of  either. 

*'  And  as  for  thofe  that  in  their  paws  are  grip'd, 

u  Pity  and  refcue,  Lord,  from  that  fad  plight. 

"  When  I  behold  the  fqueaking  lark,  that's  bora 

"  In  falcon's  talons,  crying,  bleeding,  torn  j 

**  I  pity  it's  fad  cafe,  and  would  relieve 

"  The  prifoner,  if  I  could,  as  well  as  gricv«, 

"  Fountain  of  pity,  hear  the  piteous  moans 

*'  Of  all  thy  captive  and  oppreffcd  onr.  " 


128  A  New  Cotnpafs  for  Seamen 


G  H  A  P.     XXV. 


In  florins  tofpread  much  fail  endangers  all  i 
So  carnal  mirth,  if  God  for  mourning  call. 

OBSERVATION. 

IN  ftorms  at  Tea,  the  wife  navigator  will  not  fpread 
much  fail ;  that  is  the  way  to  lofe  mafts  and  all ; 
They  ufe  then  to  furl  up  the  fails*  and  lie  a  hull, 
when  not  able  to  bear  a  knot  of  fail ;  or  elfe  to  lie 
a  try,  or  feud  before  the  wind  and  feas.  It  is  no 
time  then  to  hoift  up  the  top  and  top-gallant,  and 
(hew  their  bravery, 

APPLICATION. 

When  the  judgments  ot  God  are  abroad  in  the 
earth,  it  is  no  time  then  to  make  mirth,  Ezek,  xxi. 
10.  "  mould  we  (then)  make  mirth  ?  It  con- 
temneth  the  rod  of  my  fon  as  every  tree/'  (/.  e.) 
As  if  it  were  a  common  rod,  and  ordinary  affiiclion  ; 
whereas  the  rod  of  my  Ion  is  not  fuch  as  may  be 
had  of  every  tree,  but  it  is  an  iron  rod  to  fuch  as 
defpife  it,  Pfal.  ii.  9.  O  it  is  a  provoking  evil,  and 
commonly  God  feverely  punilhes  it.  Of  all  peribns, 
fuch  fpeed  worft  in  the  common  calamity,  Amosvh 
1.  u  Wo  to  them  that  are  at  eafe  in  Sion,  that 
are  not  grieved  for  the  aifli&ions  of  Jofeph>*  as 
verfe  4.  It  may  be  (as  one  obferves  upon  the  text ) 
they  did  not  laugh  at  him,  or  break  jefts  upon  him  ; 
but  thev  did  not  condole  with  hint.     And  what 


Or  Navigation  Spiritualized.  129 

{hall  be  their  punifriment  ?  See  verfe  7.  "  There* 
fore  now.  (hall  they,  go  captive  with  the  fir  ft  that  go 
captive  :"  God  will  begin  with  themfirft.  Solomon 
tells  us,  Ecclef.  iii.  4.  a  There  is  a  time  to  weep, 
and  a  time  to  laugh  ;  a  time  to  mourn,  and  a  time 
to  dance  :"  Only  (as  Mafter  Trap  notes  upon  the 
text)  "  we  mud  not  invert  the  order*  but  weep  with 
men,  that  we  may  laugh  with  angels.' '  To  be  mer- 
ry and  froiickfome  in  a  day  of  tribulation,  is  to  dis- 
turb the  order  of  feafons.  That  is  a  terrible  text, 
Ifa.  xxii.  i2i  which  ihould  make  the  hearts  of  (uch 
as  are  guilty  in  this  kind  to  tremble  :  "  In  that  day- 
did  the  Lord  of  hods  call  to  mourning,  aad  to  gird- 
ing with  fackcloth  ;  and  behold,  joy  and  gladnefs; 
flaying  oxen,  killing  fheep,  drinking  wine,  &c" 
Well,  what  is  the  iffue  of  this  ?  Surely  $  this  iniqui- 
ty (hall  not  be  purged  from  you,  till  ye  die.  O 
dreadful  word  !  Surely  (my  brethren)  fympathy  is 
a  debt  we  owe  to  Chrift  myftical.,  Whatever  our 
"conftitutiohi  condition,  or  perfonal  immunities  be, 
yet  when  God  calls  for  mourning,  we  muft  hear  and 
obey  that  call.  David  Was  a  king,  an  expert  mu- 
lician,  a  man  of  (anguine  and  ehearful  conftitution  ; 
yet  who  more  fenfible  of  the  evil  of  thofe  times, 
than  he  ?  Rivers  of  water  ran  down  his  eyes  at  the 
confideration  of  them.  Meldnclhon  was  fo  affected 
with  the  miferies  of  the  church  in  hi$  days,  that  he 
teemed  to  take  little  or  no  notice  of  the  death  of 
his  child;  whom  he  entirely  loved.  At  (uch  a  time 
we  may  "  fay  of  laughter,  Thou  art  mad,  and  of 
rnirth,  what  doth  it  ?" 

REFLECTION. 

Blufh  then,  O  my  foul  \  for  thy  levity  and  infers 
fibility  under  God's  angry  difpenfations.  How  ma- 

R 


t$o  A  New  Compafe  for  Seamen 

fly  of  the  precious  fons  and  daughters  oiSien,  lie  in 
tears  abroad,  while  I  have  been  u  Nourifhing  my 
heart,  as  in  a  day  of  Slaughter  ?  The  voice  of  God 
hath  cried  to  the  city,  and  men  of  underftanding 
have  heard  its  voice,"  Mic.  vi.  9.  But  I  have  been 
deaf  to  that  cry.  How  loth  (mv  God)  have  I  been 
to  urge  my  fenfual  heart  to  acts  of  forrow  and  mourn- 
ing !  Thou  haft  bid  me  weep  with  them  that  weep, 
but  my  vain  heart  cannot  comply  with  fuch  com- 
mands. Ah  Lord  !  if  I  mourn  not  with  Siony  nei- 
ther fhall  I  rejoice  with  her. 

O,  were  mine  eyes  opened,  and  my  heart  fenfiblc 
and  tender,  I  might  fee  caufe  enough  to  melt  into 
tears  ;  and  like  that  chriftian  Niobey  Luke  vii.  38,  to 
lie  weeping  at  the  feet  of  Chrift.  Lord,  what  ftu- 
pidity  is  this  ?  Shall  I  laugh  when  thou  art  angry, 
and  thy  children  weeping  and  trembling  ?  Then  t 
may  juftiy  fear,  left  "  when  they  fhall  fing  for  joy 
of  heart,  I  (hall  howl  for  vexation  of  fpirit,"  Iiai. 
Jxv.  13,  14.  Surely,  O  my  foul  !  fuch  laughter 
will  be  turned  into  mourning,  either  here  or  here- 
after. 


THE     POEM, 

a  In  troublous  times  mirth  in  the  finner's  tat-c 
ct  Is  like  to  a  morning-cloak  with  filrer  lace. 
"  The  lion's  roaring  make?  the  beafts  tb  quake  ; 
"  God's  roaring  judgments  cannot  make  us  make , 
"  What  bclluine  contempt  is  this  of  God, 
"  To  laugh  in's  face,  when  he  take*  up  the  rod  ? 
* '  Such  laaghter  God  in  tears  will  furcly  drown, 
**  (Unlefs  he  hate  thee)  e'rr  h<>  by  it  dostfe 


Or    Navigation  Spiritualized.  13 1 

«  Thefe  tods  have  voices  j  if  thou  hear  them  well : 

■'  If  not  another  rod's  preparM  in  hell. 

"  And  when  the  arm  of  God  /hall  lay  it  on, 

U  Laugh  if  thou  canft  $  ao,  then  thy  mirth  is  gone. 

««  All  Shn^s  children  will  lament  and  cry, 

«  Wken  all  her  beeuteou«  ftones  in  duft  do  lie  ; 

"  And  he  that  for  her  then  laments  and  mourns, 

"  Shall  want  no  joy,  when  God  to  her  returns." 


C    H    A    P.      XXVI. 

A  little  leak  neglecled,  dangerous  proves  j 
One  Jin  connived  at>  the  joul  undoes. 

OBSERVATION. 

THE  fmalleft  leak,  if  not  timely  difcovered  and 
ftopt,  is  enough  to  fink  a  fhip  of  the  greatefl 
burden ;  therefore  feamen  are  wont  frequently  to 
try  what  water  is  in  the  hole  ;  and  if  they  fir^d  it 
frefh,  and  inereafing  upon  them,  they  ply  the  pump, 
and  prefently  fet  the  carpenters  to  fearch  for  it  and 
flop  it  -,  and  till  it  be  found  they  cannot  be  quiet, 

APPLICATION 

What  fuch  a  leak  is  to  a  (hip,  that  is  the  frnalierc 
fin  neglecled  to  the  foul ;  it  is  enough  to  ruin  it  e- 
ternally.  For  as  the  greateft  fin,  difcovered,  lament- 
ed, and  mourned  over  by  a  believer,  cannot  ruin 
him  ;  fo  the  lead  fin  indulged,  covered,  and  con- 
nived at,  will  certainly  prove  the  deftruclion  of  the 


j  3  a  A  Heiv  Compajs  for  Seamm 

finner.  NQfin,  though  never  fo  imall,  is  tolerated 
fey  the  pure  and  perfed  law  of  God,  Pfalm  cxix.  96. 
The  command  is  exceeding  broad  ;  not  as  if  it  gave 
men  a  latitude  to  walk  as  they  pleafe,  but  broad, 
i.  e.  extending  Jtfelf  to  all  our  words,  thoughts,  ac- 
tions, and  affections :  Laying  a  law  upon  them  all ; 
conniving  at  no  evil  in  any  man,  1  Pet.  ii.  1. 

And  as  the  word  giyes  no  allowance  for  the  lead 
fin,  lo  it  is  the  very  nature  of  fincerity  and  upright- 
nels,  to  let  the  heart  again  ft  (every)  way  ofwicked- 
nefs,  Pfal.  cxxxix.  23,  24.  Job  xxxi.  13.  And  efpe- 
cialiy  again  0:  that  fin  which  was  its  darling  in  the 
clays  ot  his  vanity,  Pfalm  xviii.  23.  True  hatred  (as 
the  philofopher  obferves)  is  of  the 
f  EU  ta  gen.  whole  f  kind  :  He  that  hates  fin 
as  fin  (and  fo  doth  every  upright 
foul)  hates  all  fins  as  well  as  fome. 

Again,  the  foul  that  hath  had  a  faving  fight  0$ 
Tefus  Chrift",  and  a  true  difcovery  of  the  evil  of  fin, 
in  the;  glajs  both  of  the  law  and  gofpej,  can  account 
110  fin  imajl,  IHEe  knows  the  demerit  o\  the  fmall- 
efl  fin  is  God's  eternal  wrath,  and  that  not  the  leafl 
fin  can  be  remitted,  without  the  fhedding  and  ap- 
plication of  the  blood  of  Chrift,  Heb,  ix.  22.  which 
blood  is  of  infinite  value  and  price,  1  Pet.  i.  19. 

To  conclude,  God's  people  know,  that  little  as 
well  as  great  fins  are  dangerous,  deadly  and  deftruc- 
tive  in  their  own  nature  i  A  little  poifon  will  de- 
ftroy  a  man.  Adrian  was  choaked  with  a  gnat  ; 
Cdfar  Itabbid  with  bodkins.  A  man  would  think' 
Adam's  fin  had  been  no  great  matter,  yet  what 
dreadful  work  did  it  make  !  It  was  not  a  fingle  bul- 
let to  kill  himielf  only ;  but  as  a  chain-il>  t,  which 
cut  off  all  his  poor  miferablo  po^lerity.  Indeed,  no 
iin  can  be  little,  becaufc  its  object  againft  whom  it 
is  committed  is  fo  great,  whence  it  receives  a  kind 


Or  Navigation   Spiritualized.  133 

of  infinitenefs  in  itfelf,  and  becaufe  the  price  paid 
to  redeem  us  from  it  is  10  invaluable. 

REFLECTION. 

And  is  the  fmalleft  fin  not  only  damning  in  its 
pvvn  nature,  but  will  certainly  prove  the  ruin  of 
that  foul  that  hides  and  covers  it  ?  Oh  then  let  my 
ipirir.  accomplifh  a  diligent  fearch.  Look  to  it,  O 
rny  foul !  that  no  fin  be  indulged  by  thee.  Set  thefe 
considerations  as  fo  many  flaming  fwords  in  the  way 
of  thy  carnal  delights  and  lulls  :  Let  me  never  fay 
of  any  fin,  as  Lot  did  of  Zoar,  it  is  a  little  one, /pare 
it.  Shall  I  fpare  that  which  cofl  the  blood  of  Je- 
jus  Chrift  ?  The  Lord  would  not  fpare  him,  when 
he  made  his  foul  an  offering  for  Jin ;  Rom.  viii.  32. 
Neither  will  he  fpare  me,  if  1  defend  and  hide  it, 
Deut.  xxix.  20.  Ah!  If  my  heart  were  right,  and 
my  convention  found,  that  luft,  whatever  it  be, 
that  is  fo  favoured  by  me,  would  .efpeciaily  be  ab- 
hored  and  hated,  Ifa.  ii.  20.  and  xxx.  22.  What- 
ever my  convictions  and  reformations  have  been, 
yet  if  there  be  but  one  fin  retained  and  delighted 
in,  this  keeps  the  devil's  intereft  flill  in  my  foul : 
and  though  for  a  time  he  feem  to  depart,  yet  at 
lad  he  will  return  with  feven  worfe  fpirits,  and  this 
is  the  fin  that  will  open  the  door  to  him,  and  deliver 
up  my  foul,  Mat.  xii.  43,  44.  Lord,  let  me  make 
thorough  work  of  it  :  let  me  cut  it  off,  and  pluck 
it  out,  though  it  be  as  a  right  hand,  or  eye.  Ah, 
fhall  I  come  fo  near  the  kingdom  of  God,  and 
make  fuch  a  fair  offer  for  Chrift,  and  yet  flick  at  a 
fmall  matter,  and  lote  all  for  want  of  one  thing  ? 
Lord,  let  me  (he'd  the  blood  of  the  dearefl  lull,  ior 
his  fake  that  fhed  his  dearefl  blood  for  me. 


J  34  A  New  Compafs  for  Seamen 


THE    POEM. 

* 

t  There's  many  a  foul  eternally  undone 
«  For  fparing  fin,  becaufe  a  little  one. 
t  But  we  are  much  deceived  j  no  fin  is  fmal], 
«  That  wounds  fo  great  a  God,  fo  dear  a  foul. 

•  Yet  fay  it  w.re,  the  fmallert  pen-knife  may 
(  As  well  as  fword  or  lance  difpatch  and  flay. 

•  And  {hall  fo  fmall  a  matter  part  and  fever 

«  Chrifl  and  thy  foul  ?  What,  make  you  part  for  ever 
♦Or  wilt  thou  ttand  on  toys  with  him,  when  he 
«  Deny'd  himfelf  in  greateft  things  for  thee  ? 

•  Or  will  it  be  an  eafe  in  hell,  to  think 
«  How  eafily  thy  foul  therein  did  fink  ? 

«  Are  Chrift  and  hell  for  trifles  fold  and  bought  ? 

•  Strike  fouls  with  trembling,  Lord,  at  fuch  a  thought  J 
'  By  little  fins,  belov'd,  the  foul  il  loft, 

•  Unlcfs  fuch- fins,  do  great  repentance  coiV" 


CHAP.       XXVII. 

Ships  make  much  way  when  they  a  t\ 'adz-wind  getM 

IViihJuch  a  wind  thejaints  have  ever  met. 

OBSERVATIO  N. 

HOUGH    in    mofl  parts   of  the  world    the 
winds  are  variable,  and  ibmc times  blow  from 


T 


Or  Navigation  Spiri waltzed.  135 

every  point  of  the  compafs,  by  reafon  whereof,  fail- 
ing is  flow,  and  dangerous  j  yet  about  the  Equinoc- 
tial, feamen  meet  with  a  trade-wind,  blowing,  for 
the  mod  part,  one  way  ;  and  there  they  fail  jocund 
before  it,  and  fcarce  need  to  lower  a  top-fail  for 
fomc  hundreds  of  leagues. 

APPLICATION. 

Although  the  people  of  God  meet  with  many 
feeming  rubs  and  fet-backs  in  their  way  to  heaven, 
which  -are  like  contrary  winds  to  a  fhip  ;  yet  are 
they  from  the  day  of  their  converfion,  to  the  day  of 
their  complete  falvation,  never  out  of  a  trade-wind's 
way  to  heaven.  Rom.  viii.  21.  "  We  know  that  aft 
things  work  together  for  good,  to  them  that  love 
God,  to  them  that  are  ealled  according  to  his  pur- 
pofe."  This  is  a  mod  precious  fcripture,  pregnant 
with  its  confolation  to  all  believers  in  all  conditions, 
a  pillar  of  comfort  to  all  diftreffed  faints  :  Let  us 
look  a  little  nearer  to  it. 

(We  know)  Mark  the  certainty  and  evidence  of 
the  proportion,  which  is  not  built  upon  a  guefs  or 
remote  probability,  but  upon  the  knowledge  of  the 
faints ;  zve  know  it,  and  that  partly  by  divine  reve- 
lation, God  has  told  us  fo  -,  and  partly  by  our  own 
experience,  we  find  it  fo. 

("That  all  things).  Not  only  things  that  lie  in  & 
natural  and  direcS  tendency  to  our  good  ;  as  ordhian- 
eeSy  pfomifeSy  bleffingsy  &c.  but  even  fuch  things  as 
have  no  natural  fitnefs  and  tendency  to  fuch  an  end  ; 
as  affliElionSy  temptations,  corruptions,  defer  t  ions  y  &c, 
all  thefe  help  onward.     They 

(Work  together.)  itfot  all  of  them  directly,  and 
of  their  own  nature  and  inclination  ;  but  by  being 
over-ruled  and  determined  to  fuch  an  iffus  by  the 


1 3  6  ^  iS&ze;  Compa/s  for  Sedmefi 

gracious  hand  of  God  :  Nor  yet  do  they  work  out 
fuch  good  to  the  faints,  fmgly,  and  apart,  but  as 
adjuvant  caufts  or  helps,  {landing  under,  and  work- 
ing  in  fubordination  to  the  fupreme  and  principal 
caufe  of  their  happmefs.  L 

Now   the  molt  feeming  oppofite  tilings,  yea,  fin 
m  itfelf,  which  in  its  own  nature  is  really  oppofite 
to  their  good,  yet  eventually  contributes  to  it.    Af- 
flictions and  defertions  feem  to  work  againfl  us,  but 
bemg  once  put  into  the  rank  and  order  of  caufes, 
they  work  together  with  fuch  bleffed  inftruments, 
as  word  and  prayer,  to  an  happy  ifTue.    And  though 
the  faces  of  thele  things,  that  fo  agree  and  work  to- 
gether, ook  contrary  ways ;  yet  there  are,  as  it  were, 
iecret  chains  and  connexions  of  providence  betwixt 
them,  to  unite  them  in  their  hTue.     There  may  be 
many  inftruments  employed  about  one  work,  and 
yet  not  communicate  counfels,  or  hold  intelligence 
with  each  other.     Jofepb's  brethren,  the  Midianites, 
Ponpbar,  &c.  knew  not  one  another's  mind,   nor 
aimed  at  one  end,   (much  lefs   the   end  that  God 
brought  about  by  them)   one  ae>s  out  of  revenge* 
another  for  gain,  a  third  out  of  policy  ;  yet  all  meet 
together  at  laft,  in  that  iflue  God  had  deligned  to 
bring  about  by  them,  even  Jofepb's  advancement; 
Even  fo  it  is  here,  chriftian,  there  are  more  inftru- 
ments  at  work  for  thine  eternal  good,  than  thou  art 
aware  of. 

REFLECTION. 

Chear  up  then,  O  my  foul*  and  lean  upon  this 
pillar  of  comfort  in  all  diftreiies.  Here  is  a  prom- 
ife  for  me,  if  f  am  a  called  one  ;  that  like  the  phi- 
Iofopher's  ftone,  turns  all  into  gold  it  toiicheth: 
This  promife  is  my  fecurity ;  however  things  go  in 


Or   Navigation   Spiritualized.  13  7 

tTie  world,  my  God  "  will  do  me  no  hurt,"  jer.  xxv. 
6.  Nay,  he  will  do  me  good  by  every  difpenfation. 
"  O  that  I  had  but  an  heart  to  make  all  things 
work  for  his  glory,  that  thus  caufcth  every  thing  to 
work  for  my  good."  My  God,  doft  thou  turn  ev- 
ery thing  to  my  advantage  ?  O  let  me  return  all  to 
thy  praife  ;  and  if  by  every  thing  thou  work  my, 
'eternal  good,  then  let  me  in  every  thing  give  thanks. 

But  ah  !  how  foolifh  and  ignorant  have  I  been  ? 
even  as  a  beaft  before  thee.  How  hath  my  heart 
been  difquieted,  and  apt  to  repine  at  thy  difpcnfa- 
tions,  when  they  have  croiTed  my  will  ?  not  conlid- 
ering  that  my  God  faithfully  purfues  my  good,  everi 
in  thofe  things  that  crofs,  as  well  as  in  that  which 
pleafes  rhe, 

BlefTed  Lord  i  what  a  blefTed   condition  are  all 
thy  people  in,  who  are  within  the  line  of  this  prom- 
ise ?    All  things  friendly  and  beneficial  to  them  ; 
friends  helpful  ;  enemies  helpful ;  every  thing  con- 
fpiringj  and  conducing  to   their    happinefs.     With 
'others  it  is  not  fo  ;  nothing  works  tor  their  good  ; 
nay,  every  thing  works  againft  it  :  their  Very  mer- 
cies are  fnaresj  and  their  profperity  deftroys  them  ; 
Prov.  i.  32.  even  the  blefTed  gofpel  itfelf  is  a  favour 
of  death  to  them  ;  when  evil  befals  them,  "  it  is  an 
only  evil,''  Ezek.   vii.  5;   that  is,  not  turned  into 
good  to  them  ;  and  as  their  evils  are  not  turned  in- 
to good,  fy  all  their  good  is  turned    into  evil.     As 
this  promife  hath  an  influence  into  all  that  concerns 
the   people  of  God,  fo  the  curfe  hath  ah  influence 
into  all  the  enjoyments  of  the  wicked.     O  my  foul, 
blefs  the  Lord,  who  hattrcaft  thy  lot  into  iuch  a 
pleaiant  pi  ace,  and  given  thee   fuch  a  glorious  her- 
itage, as  ihispromne  is. 
S 


138  A  New  Compqfs  for  Seaman 


THE    POEM, 

**  When  once  the  dog-ftar  rifes,  many  fay, 

•'  Corn  ripens  then  apace,  both  night  and  day. 

««  Souls  once  in.  Chrift,  that  morning-ftar  lets  fall 

"  Such  influences  on  them,  that  all 

•«  God's  difpenfations  to  them  then,  fweet  or  four, 

"  Ripen  their  fouls  for  glory  ev'ry  hour. 

•'  All  their  alflittions,  rightly  underftood, 

"  Are  bleffmgs  \  ev'ry  wind  will  blow  fome  good. 

•«  Sure  at  their  troubles  faints  would  never  grudger 

*f  Were  fenfe  depofed,  and  faith  made  the  judge. 

"  Falls  make  them  warier,  amend  their  pace  j 

H  When  gifts  puff  up  their  hearts,  and  weaken  grace. 

"  Could  Satan  fee  the  iflue,  and  th'  event 

"  Of  his  temptations,  he  would  fcarcely  tempt. 

•«  Could  faints  but  fee  what  fruits  their  troubles  bring, 

"  Amidit  thofe  troubles  they  would  Oiout  and  fing, 

«  O  facred  wifdom  !  who  can  but  admire 

•«  To  fee  how  thou  doft  fave  from  fire,  by  fire  ! 

«  No  doubt  but  faints  in  glory  wond'ring  ftand 

«  At  thofe  Grange  methods  few  now  underftand. 


C    H    A    P.      XXVIII. 

Stems  make  difcovry  of  the  pilot' s /kill : 
God's  wifdom  in  afffiaion  tuumphs  fiilL  ' 

OBSERVATION. 

IN  fair  weather,  when  there  is  fea-room  enough, 
then  every  common  perfon  can  guide  the^ihip  ; 


Or  Navigation"  Spiritualized.  139 

the  pilot  may  then  lie  down,  and  take  his  reft ;  but 
in  great  ftorms,  and  ftrefs  of  weather,  or  when  near 
the  dangerous  more,  then  the  moft  fkilful  pilot  is 
put  to  it  ;  then  he  (hews  the  utmoft  of  his  art  and 
ikill,and  yet  fometimes  all  is  too  little.  They  are  (as 
the  icripture  fpeaks)  at  their  wits  end,  know  not 
what  to  do  more  ;  but  are  forced  to  commit  all  to 
the  mercy  of  God,  and  the  feas. 


APPLICATION, 


In  the  ftorms  and  tempefts  of  affliction  and 
trouble,  there  are  the  moft  evident  and  full  difcov- 
eries  of  the  wifdom  and  power  of  our  God  :  it  is 
indeed  continually  active  for  his  people  in  all  con- 
ditions, Iia.  xxvii.  3.  c<  Left  any  hurt  it,  I  will 
"  keep  it  night  and  day."  Pfal.  cxxi.  4.  "  He  that 
"  keepeth  Ifrael  neither  flumbereth  nor  {leepeth." 
His  People's  dangers  are  without  intermifiion,  there^- 
fore  his  prefervations  are  fo  too.  But  now,  when' 
they  come  into  the  ftrait  of  affliction,  and  deadly 
dangers,  which  threaten  like  rocks  on  every  fide  j 
now  the  wiidom  of  their  God  rides  triumphantly 
and  vifibly  upon  the  waves  of  that  ftormy  fea  ;  and 
this  infinite  wifdom  is  then  efpecially  difcovered  in 
thele  particulars  : 

1.  In  leaving  them  ftill  fomewhat  in  the  lieu 
and  room  of  thofe  comforts  that  they  are  deprived 
of ;  fo  that  they  fee  God  doth  exchange  their  com- 
forts, and  that  for  the  better  ;  and  this  fupports 
them.  So  John  xiv.  1,  2,  3.  drift's  bodily  pre- 
fence  is  removed,  but  the  fpirit  was  fent  in  the 
room  of  it,  which  was  better, 


!4°  A  Nezv  Compafs  for  Seamen 

2.  In  doubling  their  ftrength,  as  he  doubles 
their  burdens.  It  is  obfervcc)  that  the  faints  have 
many  times  very  Jtrong  and  fvveet  confolation,  a, 
little  before  their  greatdt  trials  ;  and  this  is  ib -or- 
dinary, that  commonly  when  they  have  had  their 
extraordinary  consolations  from  God,  they  have 
then  looked  for  fo.me  eminent  trial.  The  Lord  ap- 
peared to  Abraham,  and  fealed  the  covenant  to  him, 
and  then  put  him  upon  that  great  trial  of  his  faith. 
So  the  difciples,  Luke  xxiv.  49.  It  was  command- 
ed them  that  they  M  mould  tairv  in  Jerufalem,  till 
"Jhey  were  endpwed  with  power  from  on  high.'  '• 
The  Lord  knew  w'.iat  a  hard  providence  they  were 
like  to  have,  and  what  great  oppofitions  and  diffi- 
culties they  muft  encounter,  in  publiming  the  ev- 
erlafting  gofpel  to  the  world  ;  and  therefore  firft 
prepares  and  and  endows  them  with  power  from  on 
high,  viz.  with  eminent  meafures  of  the  gifts  and 
graces  0}  the  Spirit  j  as  faith,  patience,  felf-denial, 

rcL    Sp  Payl  had   ^rft  h}*   revelations,    then   his 
buffet!  ngs. 

J<  In  coming  in  f0  opportunely  in  the  time 
ot  their  great  cliilrefs,  with  relief  and  comfort,  1 
1  et, ,  iy,  14.  4  Then  the  Spirit  of  Glory  and  of 
Oocl  refteth  on  them."  As  that  martyr  cried  out 
to  hs  friend  Auftin,  at  the  very  ftakq,  fie  is  come, 
bets  come, 

\  In  appointing  and  ordering  the  feveral  kinds 
or  afflictions  to  feveral  faints ;  and  alloting  to  every, 
one,  that  very  affliction,  and  no  othcr,°which  is 
moil  fuitatye  to  his  condition  :  which  affliction?, 
like  fp  many  potions  of  phyfic,  are  prepared  for 
that  very  malignant  humour  that  predominates 
molt  in  them.  Peter's  tin  was  felf-confidence,  God 
permits  him  to  fall  by  denying.  Chrift  ;.  which  doubt. 
Ids  was  fancUricd   to  his  good  in  that  particular. 


Or  Navigation  Spiritualized.  141 

flezekiah's  fin  was  vain-glory,  therefore  fpoilers  are 
fent  to  take  away  his  treafures. 

5.  In  the  duration  of  their  troubles,  they  fhall 
not  ly  always  upon  them,  Pfalm  exxv.  3.  Our  God 
is  a  God  of  judgment,  Ifa.  xxx.  18.  Knows  the 
due  time  of  removing  it,  and  is  therein  punctual 
to  a  day,  Rev.  ii.  10. 


REFLECTION. 


If  the   wifdom  of  God  do  thus  triumph,  and 
glorify  itfelf  in  the  diftreffes  of  the  faints,  then  why 
Jhould  I  fear  in  the  day  of  evil  ?  Pfalm  xlix.  4.  Why 
doth   my  heart  faint  at  the  fore-fight  and  appre- 
henfion   of  approaching   trouble  ?    Fear   none  of 
thofe  things  that    thou  malt  fuffer,  Q  my  foul ;    if 
thy  God  will  thus  be  with  thee  in  the  fire  of  water, 
thou  canft  not  perifh.      Though  I  walk  through 
the  valley  of  the  fhac^ow  of  death,  yet  let  me  fear 
no  evil,  whilft  my  God  is  thus  with  me,  Creatures 
cannot  do  what  they  pleafe,  his  wifdom  linnts  and 
over-rules  them  all,   to  gracious   and    fweet   ends. 
If  my  God  cad  me  into  the  furnace,  to  melt  and 
try  me,   yet  I  (hail  not  be  confumed  there ;  for  he 
wilUit  by  die  rurnac$  himfelf  all  the  while  1  am  in 
it/and  curiouily  pry  into  it,  obierving  when  it  hath 
done  its  work,  and  then  will  prefently  withdraw 
the  fire.     O    my  foul,  blefs  and  adore  this  God  of 
wifdom  \    who  himfelf  will  fee  the  ordering  of  all 
thine  afflictions,  and  not   truft  it  in  the  hands  of 
men  or  angels.. 


H*  -A  Ntw   Compq/s  for  Seamen 


THE    POEM. 


«  Though  toft  in  greateft  ftorms,  1*11  never  fear, 

"  If  Chrift  will  fit  at  th'  helm  to  guide  and  fteer 

"  Storms  are  the  triumph  of  his  fkill  and  art  J 

W  He  cannot  clofe  his  eyes,  nor  change  his  heart. 

*'  Wifdom  and  power  ride  upon  the  waves, 

"  And  in  the  greateft  danger  helps  and  faves. 

«  From  dangers  it  by  dangers  doth  deliver, 

<f  And  wounds  the  devil  out  of  his  own  quiver  j 

*  It  countermines  his  plots,  and  fo  doth  fpoil, 

"  And  make  his  engines  on  himfelf  recoil. 

ft  It  blunts  the  politician's  reftlefs  tool, 

"  And  makes  Ahkophel  the  verieft  fool  J 

"  It  (hews  us'  how  our  reafon  us  mifled, 

*«  And  if  he  had  not,  we  had  periled. 

"  Lord,  to  thy  wifdom  I  will  give  the  reins, 

<l  And  not  with  cares  perplex  and  vex  my  brains." 


CHAP.     XXIX 


Things  in  the  bottom  are  wife  en  :  no  eve 

Can  trace  God's  paths,  which  in  the  deep  do  lie. 


OBSERFjriON. 

THE   ocean  is  fo  deep,  that  no  eye  can  difcov- 
er  what  lies  in  the  bottom  thereof.    We  ufe 


Or  Navigation  Spiritualized.  I43 

to  fay,  proverbially,  of  a  thing  that  is  irrecoverably 
loft,  it  is  as  good  it  were  call  into  the  fea.  What 
lies  there,  lies  obfcure  from  all  eyes,  but  the  eye 
of  God. 

APPLICATION. 


Thus  arc  the  judgments  of  God,  and  the  ways 
of  his  providence,  profound  and  unfearchable,  Pfal. 
xxxvi.  6.  c<  Thy  righteouinefs  is  like  the  great 
ff  mountains,  thy  judgments  are  a  great  deep  1 ' 
(i.  e.)  his  providences  are  fecret,  oblcure,  and  un- 
fathomable ;  but  even  then,  and  in  thole  provi- 
dences, his  righteoufnefs  {lands  up  like  the  great 
mountainsjvifible  &  apparent  to  every  eye.  Though 
the  faints  cannot  fee  the  one,  yet  they  can  clearly 
difcern  the  other,  Jer.  xii.  1.  Jeremiah  was  at  a 
ftand  ;  fo  was  Job  in  the  like  cafe,  Job  xii.  7.  So 
was  Afaph,  Pfal.  lxxiii.  and  Habbakuk,  chap.  i.  3. 
Thefe  wheels  of  providence  are  dreadful  for  their 
height,  Ezek.  i.  18.  There  be  deep  myfteries  of 
providence,  as  well  as  of  faith.  It  may  be  faid  of 
fome  of  them,  as  of  Paul's  epiftles,  That  they  art 
bard  to  be  twderftood,  darknefs  and  clouds  are  round 
about  the  throne  of  God  :  no  man  can  fay  what 
will  be  the  particular  iflue  and  event  of  fome  of 
his  difpenfations.  Luther  feemed  to  hear  God  fay 
to  him,  when  he  was  importunate  to  know  his 
mind  in  fome  particular  providence,  Deusfum  non 
fequax :  I  am  a  God  not  to  be  traced.  Some  pro- 
vidences, like  Hebrew  letters  muft  be  read  back- 
ward, Pfal.  xcii.  7.  Some  providences  pofe  men 
of  the  greateft  parts  and  graces.  «  His  way  is  in 
"  the  fea,  his  paths  in  the  great  waters,   and  his 


144  d  New  Compdfs  for  Seafato 

"   foot-fteps  are   not   known,"    Pfal.   Ixxvii.  iii 

Who  can  trace  foot-fteps  in  the  bottom  of  the  fea  ? 
"  The  Angels^"  Ezek.  i.  "  have  their  hands  un- 
"  der  their  wings."  The  hand  is  t\\htr  fymbolum 
roboris.  The  fymbol  of  ftrength  ;  or  inftrumentatum 
cperaticnis,  The  inftrument  of  action  :  where  thefe 
hands  are  put  forth,  they  work  effectually,  yea,  but 
fecrctly,  they  are  hid  under  their  wings.  There 
be  fome  of  God's  works  that  are  fuch  fecre's,  as 
that  they  may  not  be  enquired  into  ;  they  are  to 
be  believed  and  adored,  but  not  pryed  into,  Rom. 
xi.  33.  Others  that  may  be  enquired  after,  but 
yet  are  fo  profound,  that  few  can  underftand  them, 
Pfal.  cxi.  2;  "  The  works  of  the  Lord  are  great j 
"  fought  out  of  all  thofe  that  have  pleafufe  there- 
in." When  we  come  to  Heaven,  then  all  thofe 
myfteries,  as  well  in  the  works  as  in  the  words  of 
God,  will  lie  open  to  our  view. 


REFLECTION. 


O  then,  why  is  my  heart  difquieted,  becaufe  it 
cannot  fometimes  difcern  the  way  of  the  Loid,  and 
fee  the  connection  and  dependance  of  his  provi- 
dential difpenfations  ?  Why  art  thou  fo  perplexed, 
O  my  foul,  at  the  ccnfufions  and  diforders  that  are 
in  the  world  ?  I  know  that  goodnefs  and  wifdorH 
fits  at  the  ftern  ;  and  though  the  veffel  of  the 
church  be  toffed  and  diftrefTed  in  dorms  of  troii- 
b]e5  yet  it  fhall  not  perifh.  Is  it  not  enough  for 
me,  that  God  hath  condeicended  fo  far^  for  my  Sa- 
tisfaction, as  to  fhew  me  plainly  the  ultimate  arid 
general  iflue  of  thefe  myfterious  providences,  Ep'h. 
1.  22.  -   Rom.  viii.  28,  unlets  I  be  able  to  take  the 


Vr  Navigation  Spiritualized.  1 43 

height  of  every  particular,  fhall  I  prefume  to  call 
the  God  of  heaven  to  account  ?  Muft  he  render  a 
reafon  of  his  ways,  and  give  an  account  of  his  mat- 
ters to  fuch  a  worm  as  I  am  ?  Be  filent  (O  my  foul) 
before  thb  Lord,  fubfcribe  to  his  wifdom,  and  fub- 
mit  to  his  will,  whatsoever  he  doth.  However  it 
be,  yet  God  is  good  to  Ifrael ,  the  event  will  man- 
ifeft  it  to  be  all  over  a  defign  of  love.  I  know  not 
how  to  reconcile  them  to  each  other,  or  many  of 
them  to  the  promiie  5  yet  are  they  all  harmonious 
betwixt  themfclves,  and  the  certairi  means  of  ac- 
compli fhing  the  promifes'.  O  what  a  favour  is  "this, 
that  in  the  midft  of  the  greateft  confuiions  in  the 
world,  God  hath  given  fuch  abundant  fecurity  to 
his  people,  that  it  fhall  be  well  with  them  ?  Amos 
li.  8,  Ecclef.  viii,  12, 


THE     POEM, 

'<  Lord  !  how  ftupendouSj  deep,  and  wonderful 

««  Are  all  thy  draughts  of  providence  ?  So  full 

«'  OF  puzzling  intricacies,  that  they  lie 

**  Beyond  the  ken  of  any  mortal  eye. 

'«  Amhtel  ivitbi*  a  toheefi  the  fcripture  notion, 

<*  And  all  fhofe  wheels  tranfverfe,  and  crofs  in  motion. 

"  All  creatures  ferve  it  in  their  place  j  yet  fo9 

*«  As  thcufahds  oFtham  know  not  what  they  do, 

ct  At  this  or  that,  their  aim  they  do  direct ; 

«<  But  neither  this,  nor  that,  is  the  effe#  : 

**  But  fomething  di'c  they  do  not  umlerftaad-, 

**  Which  fets  all  politicians  at  a  ftani, 

T 


14*  4  New  Compafs  for  Seamen 

«  Deep  counfels,  at  the  birth,  this  har*  doth  break, 
«  And  deeper  things  pcrformeth  by  the  weak. 
"  Men  are,  like  horfes,  fct  at  ev'ry  ftage, 
««  For  providence  to  ride  from  age  to  age  j 
«  Which,  like  a  poft,  fpurs  on;  and  makes  them  run 
"  From  ftage,  to  ftage,  until  their  journey's  done  ; 
"  Then  tak,  a  frefh  :  but  they  the  bus'nefs  know, 
"No  more  than  horfes  the  poft-letters  do  j 

*  Yet  tho'  it's  work  be  not  concealed  from  fight, 

*  'Twill  be  a  glorious  piece,  when  brought  to  light. 


CHAP,      XXX. 

Millions  of  men  are  funk  into  the  main ; 
But  itfhall  not  thofe  dead  always  retain. 

OBSERVATION. 

WHAT  multitudes  of  men  hath  the  Tea  de- 
voured !  thoufands  have  made  their  graves 
tni \u  Whatrnu?^erS  of  men   have  been  infulfed 

whgerehr  1  f*^  °T  ^n^  0r  ^"dations, 
whereby  whole  towns  have  been  fwallowed  up  »  cer ' 
tainly  the  dead  which  are  there,  are  innumerable, 

A  ?  P  L  I  C  A  T  1  0  N. 

But  though  the  Tea  has  received  fo  many  thou- 
land  bodies  of  men  into  its  devouring  throat,  yet  it 
*s  not  the  abfolute  lord,  or  proprietor  of  them,  but 


Or    Navigation  Spiritualized.  147 

rather  a  fteward  intruded  with  them,  till  the  Lord 
require  an  account  of  them  -,  and  then  it  muft  de- 
liver up  all  it  hath  received,  even  to  a  perfon.  Rev. 
xx.  n,  12.  "And  I  faw  the  dead,  fm  all  and  great, 
fland  before  God  :  And  the  bocks  were  opened  ; 
and  another  book  was  opened,  which  is  the  book 
of  life  \  and  the  dead  were  judged  out  of  thole  things 
which  were  written  in  the  book,  according  to  their 
works.  And  the  lea  gave  up  the  dead  which  were 
in  it." 

The  doctrine  of  the  refurrection  of  the  body,  is 
a  doctrine  full  of  lingular  confblations  to  believers, 
1  Cor.  xv.  and  mod  clearly  aflferted  in  fcripture, 
Actsxxvi.  8.  Job  xix.  25.  1  Cor.  xv.  &c,  And 
it  is  well  ior  us  this  point  is  fo  plainly  revealed  5  be- 
caufe  as  it  is  a  moft  comfortable  truth  to  the  peo- 
ple of  God,  fo  there  is  fcarce  any  truth  that  lies  un- 
der more  prejudice,  as  to  fenfe  or  reafon,  and  is 
more  difficult,  to  receive,  than  this  is.  The  Epicures 
and  Stoics  laughed  Paul  to  fcorn  when  he  preached 
it  to  them,  Acts  xvii.  32.  The  Familifts  and  Qua- 
kers at  this  day  reject  it  as  a  fable.  The  Socinians 
fay  the  fame  body  (hall  not  rife,  but  an  serial  body. 
And,  indeed,  if  men  let  up  realonas  the  only  judge 
of  fupernatural  things^  it  is  incredible  to  think,  that 
a  body  ihould  be  reftored,  that  hath  been  burnt  to 
afhes,  and  thofe  afhes  fcattered  in  the  wind  ;  as 
hiftory  tells  us  was  frequently  done  by  the  bodies  of 
the  faints  in  Bioclefian's  reign  !  or  when  drowned  in 
the  fea,  and  there  devoured  by  feveral  fifties,  and 
thofe  again  devoured  by  others.  But  yet  this  is  not 
to  be  objected  to  the  almighty  power  of  God,  that 
gave  them  their  firfl  being  :  difficulties  arid  impof- 
fibilities  are  for  men,  but  not  for  him.  "  Why 
fhou Id  it  be  thought  a  thing  incredible  with  you, 
that  Godfhouid  raifc  the  dead  V*  Acts  xxvi.  8, 


Z43  J  New  Compqjs  for  Seam* 


REFLECTION. 


And  mud  I  rife  again,  wherever  my  body  falls 
at  death  ?  Then,  Lord,  how  am  I  concerned  to  get 
union  with  Chrift  while  I  live  ?  By  virtue  thereof 
only,  my  refurrecYion  can  be  made  comfortable,  and 
bleiled  to  me.  Ah  !  let  my  body  lie  where  it  will, 
in  earth  or  fea ;  let  my  bones  be  lcattered,  and  flefli 
devoured  by  worms  or  fifh,  I  know  thou  canft,  and 
wilt  re-unite  my  fcattered  parts;  and  in  this  body 
I  mud:  (land  before  thine  awful  tribunal,  to  receive 
according'to  what  I  have*  done  therein,  2  Cor.  v.  10. 
Thou  that  commander!  me  to  (land  forth  among 
the  noble  ft  rank  of  creatures,  when  I  had  no  being-; 
and  faweft  my  fubftance,  being  yet  imperfect,  canft 
as  eafily  reduce  me  to  that  being  again. 

What  though  reafon  vote  it  impofTible,  and  fenfe 
incredible  I  Though  all  thefe  difficulties  and  in- 
cumbrances grow  upon  my  faith,  yet  I  know  my 
body  is  not  loft  for  ever  j'  the  found  of  thy  lad  and 
dreadful  trumpet,  (hall  awaken  me:  and  thy  migh- 
ty power,  to  which  'all  things  are  pbifible,  (hall  bring 
me  before  thy  bar,    ' 

O  Lord,  I  know  that  I  (hall  ftand  in  that  great 
afferhbly  at  the  lad  day,  when  multitudes,  multi- 
tudes,  even  all  the  fons  and  daughters  of  Adam, 
Jhall  appear' together.  O  if  I  die  Chriftlefs,  it  were 
good  for  me  that  there  were  no  relurreclion  ;  for 
then  thofe  eyes  that  have  been  windows  of  luft,  mud 
behold  Chrift  the  Judge,  not  as  a  Redeemer,  but  as 
a  Revenger.  That  tongue  that  hath  vented  fo  much 
of  the  fikhinefs  of  my  heart,  will' then  be  druck 
Specchlefs  before  hjni  ;   and  this  flefli  which  I   fo 


Or  Navigation  Spiritualized.  149 

pampered  and  provided  for,  condemned  to  everlaft- 
fng  flames.  O  my  God,  let  me  make  fure  work 
for  fuch  a  day  !  if  I  now  git  real  union  with  thy 
Son,  I  (hall  awake  with  finging  out  of  the  duft  ;  and 
then,  as  thou  faidft  to  Jacob,  fo  to  me,  when  I  go 
down  into  the  fea,  or  grave,  Gen.  xlvi.  3,4.  "Fear 
not  to  go  down  into  the  deep  ;  for  \  will  furely 
bring  thee  up  again," 


THE    POEM, 


*-'  It  fhould  not  feem  incredible  to  thee, 

«<  That  God  mould  raife  the  dead  in  feas  that  be  v 

**  We  fee  in  winter,  fwallows,  worms  and  flies 

"  Depriv'd  of  life,  yet  in  the  fpring  they  rife. 

f«  What  tho'  your  bodies  fey'ral  fifh  devour, 

?«  Objecl  not  that  to  the  Almighty  pow'r. 

*<  Some  chymifts  in  their  art.  are  fo  exact, 

"  That  from  one  herb  they  ufually  extradt 

««  Four  difPrent  elements  j  what  think  ye  then, 

f*  Can  pofe  that  God,  who  gave  this  /kill  to  men  ? 

**  The  gard'ner  can  diftinguifh  thirty  kinds 

"  Of  feeds  from  one  another,  tho'  he  finds 

"  Them  mix'd  together  in  the  fclf-fame  dim  ; 

"  Much  more  can  God  diftinguifh  flefh  from  nih. 

«<  They  feem  as  loft,  but  they  again  muft  live  j 

ff  The  fea'sa  fteward,  and  ftewards  account  muft  give. 

*'  Look  what  you  are,  when  in  the  ocean  drown'd, 

«<  The  very  fame  at  judgment  you'll  be  found. 

«  I  would  not  care  where  my  vile  body  lies, 

<*  Were  I  afi'ur'd  it  ftiou'd  with  comfort  life," 


tjo  A  New  Compajs  fir  Stameu 


CHAP.      XXXI. 

Thefeamaris  greatefl  danger's  near  the  eoaft  : 
IVhen  we  are  neareft  heavn,  the  danger's  moft, 

OBSERVATION. 

THOUGH  Teamen  meet  with  violent  ftorms, 
yet  if  tney  have  fea  room  enough,  they  are  not 
much  difmayed  :  but  if  they  find  themfelves  near 
the  more,  they  look  upon  their  condition  as  "Very 
dangerous  :  the  fight  of  the  more  is  to  them 
Solomon  fpeaks  of  the  morning  in  another  cafeY&e 
the  fhadow  of  death,  if  not  able  to  weather  it.  For 
one  (hip  fwallowed  up  in  the  ocean,  many  perifh 
upon  the  coaft.  •  , 

APPLICATION. 

The  greatefl:  flraits  and  difficulties  that  many 
faints  meet  with  in  all  their  lives,  is  when  they  come 
pearefl  to  heaven,  and  have  almoft  finimed  their 
courfe.  Heaven,  indeed,  is  a  glorious  ^place,  the 
ipacious,  and  royal  manfion  of  the  great  king;  but 
difficum  quae  pulcbra  ;  it  hath  a  flrait  and  narrow 
entrance,  Luke  xiii.  24.  O  the  difficulty  of  arriv- 
ing there  !  how  many  hard  tugs  in  duty,  what  ear- 
ned contention  and  ftriving,  even  to  an  agony  '  as 
that  word  imports,  Luke  xiii.  24.  Multitudes  put 
iorth,  and  by  profeffion  are  bound  for  this /a/r  ha- 


Or  Navigation  Spiritualized.  f#j 

va t  but  of  the  multitudes  that  put  out,  how  few 
do  arrive  there  ?  A  man  may  fet  out  by  a  glorious 
profeffion,  with  much  refolution,  and  continue  lone 
therein  ;  he  may  offer  very  fair  for  it,  and  not  be 
tar  from  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  yet  not  be  able 
to  enter  at  the  laft,  Mat.  vii.  22. 

Yea,  and  many  of  thofe  who  are  f.ncere  in  their 
profeffion,  and  do  arrive  at  laft,  yet  come  to  heaven 
(as  I  may  fay)  by  the  gates  of  hell  5  and  put  in,  as 
a  poor  weather-beaten  veflel  comes  into  the  har- 
bour more  hkea  wreck  than  a  fhip,  neither  maft 
nor  fad  left.  The  righteous  themfelves  are  fcaS 
SS'  CVuJ  2 Y  afC  faved  with  very  mi*h  diffi, 

SJ  L  J  f y  ^VC  "S*  al?  an  abmdmt  enir™">  as 
the  apoftle  fpeaks,  2  Pet.  u  1 1. 

"•Some  perfons  (as  one  we'll  notes)  are  afar  off 
*4*g  u.  23-  (t.  e.J  touched  with  no  care  of  religion! 

Se>i  Manh  near'  bUt  "AVer  Cnter'  aS  ^mi-converts. 
Se*,  Match,  xii.  34.  Others  enter,  but  with  great 
dj%ulty,  they  are  faved  as  by  fire,   ,  Cor.  iif'f 

eoTwith H  2ft  r  BUt,th"n- ^  are  tf  & 
go  lrl  with  full  fail  before  the  w  nd,  and  have  an  a- 

bundant  entrance  ,  they  g0  triumphing  out  of  the 

Si  H^  "  WerC°me  lnt0  the  narr™  chan- 

kt^n  n  I61"7  P7r  °f  emnnCe  into  «fe*  ^^  foul 
is  then  in  the  moft  fenoUs  frame  ;  all  th  ngs  look 
with  a  new  face ;  confciertce  fcans  our  evident  moft 

S  for  n;ate2,(0HSr  ^11S  U^  -.andmTkt 
nis  lorelt  aflults,  and  batteries.     It  is  the  laft  en- 

counter ,  if  they  efcape  him  now,  they  are  gon  out 

^av    ionaCveTfr':  *?  ifhe  cannot  hJerthei 
Ulvation,  yet  if  he  can  but  cloud  their  evening,  ancT 

otheK are tnt'Cked  andJweake"  ^e  hand,  of 
otners  that  are  looking  towards  religion. 


x$2>  d  Ntw  Compa/s  for  Seamzii 


REFLECTION. 

If  this  be  fo,  how  inevitable  is  mv  perdition*  majr 
the  carelefs  fotil  fay  ?  If  they  that  ftrive  fo  much, 
and  go  fo  far,  yet  perifh  at  lafi.  $  and  if  the  righte- 
pus  themfelves  are  fcarcely  faved,  then  where  mail 
jfuch  an  ungodly  creature  as  I  appear  ?  O  Lord  ! 
if  they  that  have  made  religion  their  bufmefs,  and 
have  been  many  years  purfuing  a  work  of  mortifi- 
cation, have  gone  mourning  after  the  Lord  Jefus, 
and  walked  humbly  with  God  ;  yet  if  fome  of  thefe 
have  fuch  an  hard  tug  at  laft,  then  what  will  be- 
come of  fuch  a  vain,  ienfual,  carslefs,  flefh-pleafing 
wretch  as  I  have  been  ? 

Again-,  Do  faints  find  it  fo  flrait  an  entrance  ? 
Then,  though  I  have  w*U  grounded  hopes  of  fafe 
arrival  at  laft;  yet  let  me  look  to  it,  that  I  do  not 
increale  the  difficulty.  Ah  !  they  are  the  things 
that  are  now  done,  or  omitted,  that  put  confciencc 
into  fuch  an  agony  then ;  for  then  it  comes  to  re- 
view the  life  with  the  mod  ferious  eye.  O  let  me 
not  flick  my  death  bed  full  of  thorns,  againfl  I  come 
to  lie  down  upon  it.  O  that  I  may  turn  to  the 
wall,  in  that  hour,  as  Hezekiah  did,  2  Kings  xx.  2, 
3.  and  fay,  (<  Remember  now.  O  Lord,  how  I  have 
walked  before  thee  in  truth,  and  with  a  perfec> 
heart,' '  &c. 


THE     POEM, 

*«  After  a  tedious  parage,  faints  defcry 
"  The  glorious  (hore,  fulvatton  being  ni£h  : 
«  Deaths  long  boat's  launched,  ready  to  let  a(norr. 
"-  Their  pantir.g  fouls.     O  how  they  tug  at  o*--. 


Or   Navigation    Spiritualized.  153 

«<  Longing  to  be  at  reft  !    but  then  they  find 

"  The  hardeft  tug  of  all  is  yet  behind. 

««*Juft  at  the  harbour's  mouth  they  fee  the  wreck 

«  Of  fouls: there  caft  away,  and  driven  back. 

«•  A  world  of  dang'rous  rocks  before  it  lie  j 

«  The  harbour's  barr'd,  and  now  the  winds  blow  high  .; 

"  Thoughts  now  arife,  fears  multiply  apace  j 

«  All.  things  about  them  have  another  face. 

«*  Life  blazes,  juft  like  an  expiring  light, 

"  The  foul's  upon  the  lip  prepar'd  for  flight. 

«<  Death,  till  the  refurrection,  tears  and  rends, 

«<  Out  of  each  other's  arms,  two  parting  friends^ 

"  The  foul  and  body.     Ah  !   buc  more  than  fo, 

"  The  devil  falls  upon  them  e're  they  go, 

"  With  new  temptations,  back'd  with  all  his  pow'r, 

s<  And  fcruples,  kept  on  purpofe  for  that  hour. 

•*  This  is  the  laft  encounter,  now,  or  never  ; 

te  If  he  fucceedeth  now,  they're  gone  for  ever. 

«  Thus  in  they  p.,t,  with  hardfhip  at  the  laft, 

«*  As  ihips  out  of  a  ftorm,  nor  fail,  nor  maft  : 

««  Yet  fome  go  in  before  a  wind,  and  have 

(l  Their  ftreamer  of aflurance  flying  brave. 

"  Lord,  give  me  eafier  entrance}  if  thou  pleafe  j 

*'  Or  if  I  may  not  there  arrive  with  eafe, 

*<  Yet  I  befeechthee,  fet  me  fafe  a-morej 

"  Tho'  ftormy  winds  at  harbour's  mouth  fliould  roar. 


CHAP,       XXXII. 

How  glad  are  feamen  when  they  make  thejhore  f 
Ana  faint s,  no  lefs,  when  all  their  danger  s  o'er, 

OBSERVATION, 

HAT  joy  is  there  among  feamen,  when  at 
laft,  after  a  tedious  and  dangerous  voyage, 
U 


w 


r$4  A  New  Compafs  for  Seamen 

they  defcry  land,  and  fee  the  defired  haven  before 
them  ?  Then  they  turn  out  of  their  loathed 
cabins,  and  come  upon  open  deck  with  much  joy. 
Pfalm  cvii.  30.  «  Then  they  are  glad,  becaufe  they 
be  quiet  :  So  he  bringeth  them  to  their  defired  ha- 
ven." Now  they  can  reflect,  with  comfort,  upon 
the  many  dangers  they  have  pail,  O/im  haec  memin- 
ijejuvabit ;  it  is  fweet  to  recount  them. 

APPLICATION. 

But  O  what  a  tranfeendant  joy,  yea,  ravifhing, 
will  over-run  the  hearts  of  faints,  when,  after  fo 
many  conflicts,  temptations,  and  afflidions,  they 
arrive  in  glory,  and  are  harboured  in  heaven,  where 
they  mall  reft  forever !  2  Theff.  i.  7.  The  fcrip- 
ture  faith,  «  They  (hall  fing  the  fong  ofMofes,and 
of  the  Lamb,"  Rev.  xv.  3.  The  fong  of  Mofes 
was  a  triumphant  fong,  compofed  for  the  celebra- 
tion of  that  glorious  deliverance  at  the  red  fea. 
The  faints  are  now  fluctuating  upon  a  troublefome 
and  tempeftuous  fea  5  their  hearts  fometimes  ready 
to  fink,  and  die  within  them,  at  the  apprehenfion 
of  fo  many  and  great  dangers  and  difficulties.  Ma- 
ny a  hard  florm  they  ride  out,  and  many  ftraits  and 
troubles  they  here  encounter  with,  but  at  laft  they 
arrive  at  their  defired  and  long  expected  haven, 
and  then  heaven  rings  and  refounds  with  their  joy- 
ful acclamations,  And  how  can  it  be  otherwife, 
when  as  foon  as  ever  they  fet  foot  upon  that  glori- 
ous more,  Chrift  himfelf  meets  and  receives  them, 
with  a  "  Come  ye  blefled  of  my  Father/'  Matth. 
xxv.  34.     O  joyful  voice  !  O  much  defired  word  ! 


Or   Navigation   Spiritualized.  155 

iaith  Paraeus,  what   tribulation  would  not  a  man 
undergo  for    his  word's  fake  !         ♦ 

Befides,  then  they  are  perfectly  freed  from  all  e- 
vils,whether  of  fin  or  lufTering,  and  perfectly  tilled 
with  all  defired  good.      Now  they  thai!  join  with 
that  great  afTembly,  in   the  high  praifes  of  God. 
O  what  a  day  will  this  be  1  if,  faid  a  worthy  di- 
vine,  Diagoras  died  away  with  an  excels  of  joy, 
whilft  he  embraced  his  three  fons  that  were  crown- 
ed as  victors  in  the  Olympic  games  in  one  day  : 
and  good  old   Simeon,  when  he  faw  Chrift  but  in 
a  body  fubject   to  the   infirmities  of  our  nature, 
cried  out,  "  Now  let  thy  fervant  depart  in  peace  ;■*' 
what  unfpeakable  joy  will  it  be  to  the  faints,  to  be- 
hold Chrift  in  his  glory,  and  fee  their  godly  relati- 
ons alio  (to  whofe  conversion,  perhaps,  they  have 
been  inftrumental)  all  crowned,  in  one' day,   with 
everlafting  diadems  of  blifs  !   and  if  the  ftars  did, 
as  Ignatus  faith,   make  a  choir  *  as  it  were,  about 
that  ftar,  that  appeared  at  Chrift' s  incarnation,  and 
there  is  fuch  joy  in  heaven  at  the  converfion  of  a 
finner  ;  no   wonder,  then,  the  morning  ftars  ling 
together,  and  the  fons  of  God  fnout  for  joy,  when 
the  general  aflembly  meet  in  heaven  :  O  how  will 
the  arches  of  heaven  ring,  and  echo,  when  the 
high  praifes  of  God  fhall  be  in  the  mouth  of  fuch 
a  congregation  !  then  mail  the  faints  be  joyful  in 
glory,  and  fing  aloud  upon  their  beds  of  everlafling 
reft. 


REFLECTION. 


And  is  there  fuch  a  day  approaching  for  the  fons 
of  God,  indeed  !  and  have  I  [authority']  to  call  my- 


j 56  A  New  Compafs  for  Seamen 

felf  one  of  the  number  !  John  i.  12.  O  then  \t% 
me  not  droop  at  prefent  difficulties,  nor  hang 
down  my.  hands  when  I  meet  with  hardfhips  in  the 
way.  O  my  foul,  what  a  joyful  day  will  this  be  ! 
for  at  prefent  we  are  tofTed  upon  an  ocean  of  trou- 
bles, fears,  and  temptations ;  b.ut  thefe  will  make 
heaven  the  lweeter. 

Chear  up,  then,  O  my  foul,  thy  falvation  is  now 
nearer  than  when  thou  rirft  believedft,  Rom.  xiii. 
1 1 .  and  it  will  not  now  be  long  e're  I  receive  the 
end  ot  my  faith,  1  Pet.  i.  9.  and  then  it  will  be 
fweet  to  reflect  even  upon  thefe  hardfhips  in  the 
way.  Yet  a  few  days  more,  and  then  comes  that 
bleffed  day  thou  haft  io  long  waited  and  panted 
for.  Oppofe  the  glory  of  that  day,  O  my  loul,  to 
thy  prefent  abafures  and  fufFerings,  as  blefftd  Paul 
did,  Rom.  i.  18.  and  thou  malt  fee  how  it  will 
fhrink  them  all  up  to  nothing  •>  oppofe  the  inheri- 
tance thou  fhait  receive  in  that  day,  to  thy  lories 
for  CHrift  now  ;  and  fee  how  joyfully  it  will  make 
thee  bear  them,  Heb.  x.  34.  oppofe  the  honor  that 
will  be  put  upon  thee  in  that  day,  to  thy  prefent 
reproaches,  and  fee  how  eafy  it  will  make  them  to 
thee,  1  Cor.  iv.  5.  What  condition  can 
I  be  in,  wherein  the  believing  thoughts  of  thisblef- 
led  day.  cannot  relieve  me  ? 

Am  I  poor,  here  is  that  which  anfwers  poverty. 
Jim.  iii.  5.  "  Hearken,  my  beloted  brethren, 
"hath  not  God  choferi  t}ie. poor  of  this  world, 
"  rich  in  faith,  and  heirs  of  the  kingdom  ?'' 

Am  I  tempted  ?  'here  is  relief  againft  that,  Rev. 
Xii.  16.  "  Now  is  come  falvation  and  ftrength  ; 
"  for  tire  accufer  of  our  brethren  is  caft  down," 
&c. 

Am  I  deferted  ?  here  is  a  remedy  frr  that  too, 
Rev.    xxii.    5.       %S  And  there  mall   be   no  nicht 


Or  Navigation  Spiritualized.  157 

u  there,"  &c.  Come  then,  my  foul,  let  us  enter 
Upon  our  inheritance  by  degrees,  and  begin  the  life 
of  heaven  upon  earth. 


THE    POEM. 

f«  When  Solomon  in  Ifracl  firft  was  king, 

*<  Heaven's  arches,  earth's  foundation  fe'm'd  to  ring 

<<  With  joyful  exclamations  ?  how  much  more 

i*  Will  heav'n  refonnd,  when  faints  are  come  afhore  ! 

**  How  will  the  ravifh'd  fouls  tranfported  be, 

«  At  the  firfl:  glimpfe  of  Chriit  !   whom  they  fhall  fe? 

"  In  all  his  glory  ;  and  fhall  live  and  move, 
f*  Like  falamandors,  in  the  fire  of  love. 
«f  A  flood  of  tears  convey'd  them  to  the  gate 
<*  Where  endlcfs  jo\s  receiv'd  them.      Now  the  date 
<<  Of  all  their  forrowa's  out  ;   henceforth  they  walk 
t(  In  robes  of  glory,      Now  there's  no  more  talk 
fi  Of  fears,  temptations,  of  that  fraare,  or  this  : 
«  No  ferpent  in  that  paradifedoth  hifs. 
<l  No  more  defert ions,  troubled  thoughts,  or  tears  : 
'*  Chart's  full  enjoyment  fuperfedes  thofe  fears. 
"  Delights  of  princes  are  all  but  toys 
"  To  thefe  delights,  thefe  are  tranfcendent  joys, 
"  The  joys  of  Chrift  himfelf  ;  of  what  they  are, 
"  An  Angel's  tongue  wou'd  ftammerto  declare. 
«  Were  our  conceptions  clear,  did  their  tongue  go 
"  Unto  their  Ela,  yet  the  note's  too  low. 
«  What !  paint  the  fun  too  bright  !  it  cannot  be  ; 
<f  Sure  heaven  fuffers  no  hyperbole. 
"  My  thoughts  are  fwallow'd  «p,  my  mufe  doth  tire, 
«  And  bangs  her  wings,  conception  foars  no  higher. 
<<  Give  me  a  place  among  thy  children  there, 

V  Altho'  I  ly  with  them  in  dungeon  here, 


158  A  Nezv  Compafs  for  Seamen 


A    CONCLUDING    SPEECH. 


I  HAVE    now  done,  and  am  looking  to  heaven 
for  a   blefllng  upon   thefe  weak  labours  ;  what 
ufe  you  will  make  of  them,  I  know  not,  but  this  I 
know,  that  the  day  is  coming,  when  God  will  reck- 
on with  you  for  this,  and  all  other  helps  and  means 
afforded  to  you  :  and  if  it  be  not  improved  by  ysn, 
be  fure  it  will  be  produced  as  a  witnefs  again  ft  you. 
Sirs,  I  beg  you,  in  the  name  of  Chrift,  before  whom 
both  you  and  I  mud    ihortly  appear,   that  you  re- 
ceive not  thefe  things  in  vain.     Did  1  know  what 
other  lawful  means  to  ufe    that    might  reach  your 
hearts,  they  mould   not  be  in  vain  to  you  ;  but  I 
cannot  do  God's  part  of  the  work,  nor  your's  :  on- 
ly I  requeft  you  all,  both  matters,  common  men, 
and   all  others  into  whofe  hands  this  (hall  come, 
that  you  will  lay  to  heart  what  you  read  -,  pray  un- 
to him   that  hath  the  key  of  the  houfe  of  David, 
that  openeth   and    no  man  (hutteth,  to  open  your 
hearts  to  give  entertainment  to  thefe  truths.  Alas  1 
if  you  apply  it  not  to  yourfelves,  I  have  laboured 
to  no  purpofe  ;  the   pen  of  tie  icribe  is  in  vain  : 
but  God  may  make  fuch  an  application  of  them, 
in  one  florm  or  another,  as    may  make  your  heart 
to  tremble.     O  firs  !  when  death  and  eternity  look 
you  in  the  face,  confcience  may  reflect  upon  thefe 
things  to  your  horror  and  amazement,  and  make 
you  cry  out,   as   Prov.  v.  12,  13,      "  How  have  I 
"  hated   knowledge,  and  my  heart  defpiied  reproof ! 


Or  Navigation  Spiritualized.  j  r* 

*  and  have  not  obeyed  the  voice  of  my  teacher* 
"  nor  inclined  my  ears  to  them  that  inftru&ed 
"  me  ?"  And  O  what  a  dreadful  fhrick  will  fuch 
fouls  give,  when  the  Lord  opens  their  eyes  to  fee 
that  mifery  that  they  are  here  warned  of.  But  if  the 
Lord  lhall  blefs  thefe  things,  to  your  converfion, 
then  we  may  fay  to  you,  as  Mofes  did  to  Zebulun, 
the  mariners  tribe,  Deut.  xxxiii.  12,  «  Rejoice 
♦<  Zebulun  in  thy  going  out."  The  Lord  will  be 
with  you,  which  way  ioever  you  turn  yourfelves  ; 
and  being  in  the  bofom  of  the  covenant,  you  are 
fafe  in  the  midft  of  all  dangers.  O  thou,  that  art 
the  Father  of  fpirits,  thatformedft  and  canft  eafily 
reform  the  heart,  open  thou  the  blind  eye,  unftop 
the  deaf  ear,  let  the  world  take  hold  upon  the 
heart.  If  thou  wilt  but  fay  the  word,  thefe  weak 
labours  fhall  profper,  to  bring  home  many  loft 
louls  unto  thee. 


A    M    E    M 


EDMUND    M.    BLUNT, 

Printe?    &    Book-binder, 
'at     the 

Newburyport  Book-Store, 

STATE-STREET, 

(Five  Doors  below  Mr,  Davenport's  Tavern,) 

KEEPS    CONST ANTLT  FOR   SALE, 
[a  large  and    extensive  collection    of 

BOOKS 

IK    THE     DIFFERENT 
BRANCHES    of    LITERATURE; 

ALSO, 

BIBLES  of  all  kinds  and  prices — Teftaments — 
Watt's  Pfalms  and  Hymns — Perry's,  Webfter's,  and  Dilworth's  Spel- 
ling Books  snd  Primers,  by  the  Groce,  Dozen  or  Single — Ainfworth's  and 
Young's  Latin  Dictionaries— Greek  Lexicons,  Teftamen's  and  Grammars— 
Clark'o  Eutropius,  Erafmus,  and  Introduction  to  making  of  Latin,Davidfon's 
Virgii— -Cicero's  Orations,with  and  without  Tranfknions--Perry'sand  Entick's 
Pocket  Dictionaries — Pike's  Arithmetic  ;  Ftnning's  Ditto— Moore's  Practi- 
cal Navigator — Seaman's  daily  afiiftant — Ship  Mallei's  Afliftant — Mariners 
Compafs— With  a  Variety  of  others  including  all  ihe  Books  generally  ufed  at 
Colleges,  academies,  Schools,  &c.  at  the  lowed  prices. 

L   I  K  E  W  I  S  E9 

A    LARGE     ASSORTMENT     OF 

STATIONARY, 

OF    EVERY    KIND. 

Jan.   1797. 


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